Ready To Go...Go

Sittin' here with stuff on my brain has me in search of an outlet
You've turned my SUBTLE THOUGHTS into harsh scenes
These RAW IMAGEs set my mind ablaze with the possibilities of the unforeseen
Are these images considered to be CRUEL INTENTIONS?
Not sure, it would depend on who you ask
Don't ask me though, because my mind is like a JUNKYARD
I tried to clean it up, but my efforts have been futile
Even with this fact I've always considered myself a GOODFELLA
But am I? I think I am
I'll have to open that up for discussion as well
I must admit that it's your RARE ESSENCE that sets you apart from all that I see around me
And that has me hoping for an UNCALLED FOR EXPERIENCE
One where I would let you take TOTAL CONTROL
Would love to pore honey all over your body
But I'm broke so we have to hit the carryout and settle for some MAMBO SAUCE (lol)
I might have to wait to see your REACTION before I try something like that though
I can LISTEN to N E GROOVER on the block and they can tell me what my approach should be
But I have to say the verbalization of these thoughts has my heart in a CRITICAL CONDITION
Well F*ck it, Mama said have no fear, plus I'm already out of my chair
So I ask her "Are you 'Ready To GO...GO'"

I hope that you all see the theme. I put the key words in all caps so it shouldn't be that hard if you are from the Washington, D.C. area. And even if you aren't there have been a few people who have still been able to see it. Leave me as comment and tell me how you feel about it.

African American?...Wait! Did You Just Call Me N&*%$*?

I had this big write up about "My Thoughts" on why I don't necessarily prefer to be addressed by the term African American, but in talking to a friend, I was referred to a poem that has encompassed the same feelings that I have about the matter. So I would like to share it with and you can comment on what you think about it.

The Black American Poem

By Smokey Robinson

I love being Black. I love being called Black. I love being an American.

I love being a Black American, but as a Black man in this country I think it’s a shame that every few years we get a change of name.

Since those first ships arrived here from Africa that came across the sea there were already Black men in this country who were free.

And as for those that came over here on those terrible boats, they were called niggah and slave and told what to do and how to behave.

And then master started trippin’ and doing his midnight tippin’, down to the slave shacks where he forced he and Great-Great Grandma to be together, and if Great-Great Grandpa protested, he got tarred and feathered.

And at the same time, the Black men in the country who were free, were mating with the tribes like the Apache and the Cherokee.

And as a result of all that, we’re a parade of every shade.

And as in this late day and age, you can be sure, they ain’t too many of us in this country whose bloodline is pure.

But, according to a geological, geographical, genealogy study published in Time Magazine, the Black African people were the first on the scene, so for what it’s worth, the Black African people were the first on earth and through migration, our characteristics started to change, and rearrange, to adapt to whatever climate we migrated to.

And that’s how I became me, and you became you.

So, if we gonna go back, let’s go all the way back, and if Adam was Black and Eve was Black, then that kind of makes it a natural fact that everybody in America is an African American.

Everybody in Europe is an African European; everybody in the Orient is an African Asian and so on and so on, that is, if the origin of man is what we’re gonna go on.

And if one drop of Black blood makes you Black like they say, then everybody’s Black anyway.

So quit trying to change my identity.

I’m already who I was meant to be I’m a Black American, born and raised.

And brother James Brown wrote a wonderful phrase, “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud! Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud!”

Cause I’m proud to be Black and I ain’t never lived in Africa, and ’cause my Great-Great Granddaddy on my Daddy’s side did, don’t mean I want to go back.

Now I have nothing against Africa, it’s where some of the most beautiful places and people in the world are found.

But I’ve been blessed to go a lot of places in this world, and if you ask me where I choose to live, I pick America, hands down.

Now, by and by, we were called Negroes, and after while, that name has vanished.

Anyway, Negro is just how you say ‘black’ in Spanish.

Then, we were called colored, but shit, everybody’s one color or another, and I think it’s a shame that we hold that against each other.

And it seems like we reverted back to a time when being called Black was an insult, even if it was another Black man who said it, a fight would result, cause we’ve been so brainwashed that Black was wrong, So that even the yellow niggahs and black niggahs couldn’t get along.

But then, came the 1960s when we struggled and died to be called equal and Black, and we walked with pride with our heads held high and our shoulders pushed back, and Black was beautiful.

But, I guess that wasn’t good enough, cause now here they come with some other stuff.

Who comes up with this shit anyway?

Was it one, or a group of niggahs sitting around one day?

Feelin’ a little insecure again about being called Black and decided that African American sounded a little more exotic.

Well, I think you were being a little more neurotic.

It’s that same mentality that got “Amos and Andy” put off the air, cause they were embarrassed about the way the character’s spoke.

And as a result of that action, a lot of wonderful Black actors ended up broke.

When we were just laughin’ and have fun about ourselves.

So I say, “fuck you if you can’t take a joke.”

You didn’t see the “Beverly Hillbilly’s” being protested by white folks.

And if you think, that cause you think that being called African American set all Black people’s mind at ease…

Since we affectionately call each other “niggah”, I affectionately say to you, “niggah Please”.

How come I didn’t get the chance to vote on who I’d like to be?

Who gave you the right to make that decision for me?

I ain’t under your rule or in your dominion And I am entitled to my own opinion.

Now there are some African Americans here, but they recently moved here from places like Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Zaire.

But, not the brother who’s family has lived in the country for generations, occupying space in all the locations New York, Miami, L.A., Detroit, Chicago… Even if he’s wearing a dashiki and sporting an afro.

And, if you go to Africa in search of your race, you’ll find out quick you’re not an African American, You’re just a Black American in Africa takin’ up space.

Why you keep trying to attach yourself to a continent, where if you got the chance and you went, most people there wouldn't even claim you as one of them; as a pure bread daughter or son of them.

Your heritage is right here now, no matter what you call yourself or what you say And a lot of people died to make it that way.

And if you think America is a leader on inequality and suffering and grievin’, how come there so many people comin’ and so few leavin’?

Rather than all this ‘find fault with America’ fuck you promotin’, if you want to change something, use your privilege, get to the polls!

Commence to votin’!

God knows we’ve earned the right to be called American Americans and be free at last.

And rather than you movin’ forward progress, you dwelling in the past.

We’ve struggled too long; we’ve come too far.

Instead of focusing on who we were, let’s be proud of who we are.

We are the only people whose name is always a trend.

When is this shit gonna end?

Look at all the different colors of our skin…

Black is not our color. It’s our core.

It’s what we been livin’ and fightin’ and dyin’ for.

But if you choose to be called African American and that’s your preference, then I ‘ll give you that reference.

But I know on this issue I don’t stand alone on my own and if I do, then let me be me.

And I’d appreciate it if when you see me, you’d say, “there goes a man who says it loud I’m Black. I’m Black. I’m a Black American, and I’m proud”.

Cause I love being an American. And I love being Black. I love being called Black.

Yeah, I said it, and I don’t take it back.

I'm Going Going, Back Back To...Africa?

It's been a few days since I was able to think of a subject worthy of writing about. So I would apologize, but it really takes a lot for me to concentrate enough to write on this blog. I would like to thank Kia and Krystal for their heated disagreement (I think they almost came to blows lol) that has had "My Thoughts" for the past few days.

Growing up, I constantly heard people talking about going back to the "Motherland". (As if they had been before lol) I always wondered what the fascination of a journey to Africa was about. I mean, we are considered "African American", but what would the journey actually satisfy for them?

Fast Forward to now. I still don't understand SOME peoples reasoning for wanting to go back to Africa. (it seems that I have to put SOME WORDS in ALL CAPITALS so I'm not MISQUOTED) I feel like, if you've been tracing your heritage, and you've been studying your culture, and you've found that there is a direct link to Africa, then sure, go ahead and take the voyage. But if you're like most people, who blurt out that you want to go back to Africa, without any type of information of your past, then you're just saying it because it sounds good. Or maybe you do want to go, but what is your basis? I'm going to just say, I have NO desire to go to Africa. Not trying to be insensitive, but I haven't taken the time to track my heritage and I feel if I pretended like I wanted to go to Africa, the decision would be made off ignorance and hypocrisy. I don't even consider myself "African American". (No I'm not Tiger Woods lol but I have a fresh post coming up about that topic so stay tuned)

I would like to know what you think about this topic though, so please leave me a comment on the matter. And whether your comment is shares my view or is the total opposite, "It's Just My Thoughts, Just What I Was Feeling at the Time"

Not A Retraction...More Like A Definitive Reiteration

In lieu of the attention that my "Ladies, Don't You Feel Disrespected?" post has received, I felt that it was vital to clarify exactly what "My Thoughts" are.

I have received a bunch of different comments that I attempted to address under the comment portion of my post, but I couldn't get to all of them without a long comment. So I will use this post to address all of the things that i didn't get to.

First things first, my question that I posed as the title of this post was what I was trying to get at. I might have strayed away from this, but none of you answered this question. I feel like these songs are offensive, but if I see you jammin' to them, it's telling me that you like and support this song. Even if you say, "I only listen to the beat." Those words will creep up in your subconscious. (yes I paid good attention in Psychology class)

Second, I was asked why do I support this music and expect women not to. Ladies, you can support whomever you like. I'm not here to stand on my high horse and judge you for the music you listen to, because yes sometimes I do dance to it in the club. If I came off as judgmental, I deeply apologize. My thing is, as women, if you don't fight for what you believe in, who am I to fight your battle? It would be a lost cause if I ran out here and boycotted dancing to these songs and you all are still in the club shakin' your ass. The DJ's will continue to spin what YOU want to listen to because YOU are who they are marketing to at clubs. Don't believe me? Pick up a club flyer, and even though it has a naked lady on it, I'll be damned if it doesn't say LADIES FREE B4 12 and FELLAS DISCOUNTED B 11...They want YOU in the club, so they play what YOU want to hear.

Third, the comment about my perception of a woman dancing to this music. I feel like my perception of a woman isn't formed until the first conversation. Now, I won't lie, I admire the shape of a black woman, especially while they're winding. So I can look at you dancing all seductively and fawn over you all I want, but it doesn't cause me to make a snap judgment about you as a person.

Fourth, the question of, "How do we get women to respect themselves?" My response would be to first start setting the example. Everyone's parameters for respect will be different of course, but be the example setter. I just saw something very interesting. I was waiting on my FIRST GRADE class and I heard them singing the lyrics to "Low" by Flo Rida. Now those lyrics aren't the worse out there, but they are hardly appropriate for FIRST GRADERS. This means that their parents are allowing this ENTERTAINMENT to influence them. My suggestion is that some of you ladies need to mentor these young girls. Show them that they are worth way more than ENTERTAINMENT leads them to believe they are. Then maybe they won't aspire to be video girls and strippers. (not to knock anybodys hustle)

Final comment: I debated whether I was going to address this statement because if the degree of ignorance it possessed. But Anonymous #2, I have to say that if you believe that entertainment is just entertainment, then you have a skewed view of the world. Entertainment has a profound affect on almost ever facet of American culture. So the statement "Let entertainment be entertainment" is a part of the problem we have. We want to turn a blind eye to the problem and pretend that it doesn't exist. But where exactly will that get us?

For all of the people that commented, I appreciate you. I like how you pushed my mind to the limit with this post. I just hope that the discussion of this topic will continue to live on in your lives so that we can find a solution. If I omitted someones comment, please leave me a response in the comment box. I usually end off my posts with the title of this blog, but I hope all of you (even those of you that don't agree with me) continue to read and comment on "My Thoughts." I don't claim to know everything, but I am willing to educate myself on the things that I don't know. And I know that some of you can provide some valuable insight to further my education. Thank You

Ladies, Don't You Feel Disrespected?

So, it's no secret that I love music. Even though I'm the self proclaimed hip hop head, I listen to many genres of music. (I guess I said that as a disclaimer for the defense of my musical enjoyment. lol) But hip hop seems to be the genre I identify with the most. This is probably because of the era in which I was raised. One thing's for certain, hip hop definitely varies from artist to artist. But one common link for the majority of these artists is the objectification of women.

Every couple of months I hear a song come out, that's so unbelievably disrespectful to women, I shudder. (I might be exaggerating with the shudder lmao) I attribute this to the fact that I would probably get slapped in my face if I ever said some of the things these artists said to a woman. But every time I visit a club or lounge, I see these same women dancing their hearts out to these offensive songs. Now, I never really thought about it until I heard a few women say that they didn't want to hear any positive music while they are partying. They can't dance to this. I think the exact quote was, "I need to be called a bitch or a hoe (whore) in order to shake my ass."
After further observation, I see that alot of women share this philosophy. (lol)

I know that a few of you need evidence because you just like to prove me wrong. So exhibit "A" is a song called "Some Cut" by Lil Scrappy f/ Trillville. I won't even go as far as to give you a verse, the hook (chorus) says it all:

"What it is hoe, ah what's up. Can a nigga get in them guts. Cut you up like you ain't been cut. Show yo ass how to really catch a nut. So give me yo number, and I'll call. And I'll follow that ass in the mall. Take you home let you juggle my balls, while I'm beating down yo walls"

Now ladies, picture a guy coming up to you, wherever you may be, saying something like that as an opening line. How offended would you be? I can answer for the majority of women that I know, ( I say majority, cause I don't know about some of you lmao) You would be irate. And rightfully so. But are you encouraging this behavior?

Now, I know some of you that read this blog, and I know what you're saying to yourself right now, "I mean, it's just music. I have the right to dance and listen to whatever I want." This may be true; but does music NOT influence our culture heavily? You'd have to agree with that, right? So it's safe to say that if you are in the club dancing to these songs, you are encouraging these artists to continue to make them. Which in turn, gives guys the boldness to emulate what they hear in these songs.

To sum it all up ladies, your role in the degradation of women is prevalent. Although this role might seem minute (that's mi-nute), it has a profound affect on the progress of equal rights. I'll just say, "Either you're a part of the problem, or a part of the solution." If guys continue get the power to say and do whatever the want to you, it would be setting back the progress that great women have made to be accepted as equals. Maybe I'm thinking to deep about this, but hell, "It's Just My Thoughts, Just What I Was Feeling at the Time."

Racism Post

Have you ever been in a disagreement with people who weren't willing to relent their position in order to see your point of view? Did you continue to argue? Did you just let them talk? Did you get mad and leave? You want to know what I did? (No? Well I'm telling you anyway! lol) I'm writing this post. Since I wasn't able to get "My Thoughts" out during this disagreement, I have used this post as my platform of uninterrupted discussion about this particular issue.

Before I tell you about the "argument" that I didn't continue to participate in, I want to give you a few definitions to refer back to that I defend my stance with. Dictionary.com defines racism as- a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others. It defines prejudice as- an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand without knowledge, thought, or reason. (please remember these)

I don't really mind the fact that people confuse these definitions, because after all they are similar in some respect. The thing I have a problem with, is you allowing your ignorance of the differences to affect what comes out of your mouth during a disagreement.

So, yesterday I was in the teachers lounge with a few of the teacher aides. Not unusual for a thursday afternoon, because this is the day where we can all eat lunch together because of my planning period. We usually talk about some topic that is currently on someone's mind. Yesterday we settled on racism. Still a controversial topic, racism has been interpreted different ways by different people. If you refer back to the definitions I put in the second paragraph, you will see my interpretation of the word. But basically to some it up, racism is prejudice acted out. So one of the aides says, "Black people are racist as hell". (this is the statement that kicked off the disagreement) I simply said, "how so?" Then she went on to talk about how black people SAY whatever they want out of their mouths about other races. I totally agreed with her, but I tried to explain that technically this isn't considered racism. She must have THOUGHT I said black people aren't racist and she quickly defended her "argument" by saying that I was ignorant if I didn't agree that black people were racist. I quickly snapped back that she might want to check the definition of prejudice and racism if she wanted to continue this discussion, but by this time the whole room was on her side of the argument. So I figured if I just shut up and listen, I would have some great material for this very post. The last question I asked to fuel the fire was, "Is affirmative action racism?" (Oh I must not that it wasn't only black people in this discussion, just so you won't think there was a bias)  This is what I received after that question:

1. Yes affirmative action is racism

2. Historically Black Colleges and Universities are a form of racism (one aide also went so far as to say, "What if there were historically white colleges?" I really need somebody to comment on this one)

3. Black owned businesses, who only hire minorities, are a form of racism

Somewhere through the construction of this post, I lost the initial purpose of what I wanted you to comment on. I think the Idiocy of this disagreement has me befuddled. I don't have time to express all my thoughts about this post. But I really need to know that I'm not crazy, so please comment on this post so I can respond. And however I respond, "It's Just My Thoughts, Just What I Was Feeling at the Time."

He Lives in Me?

So, before I get knee deep into this post, I want to first say that coming up with a title was pretty interesting. Without giving away too much, I'll just say the controversy of this topic caused me to make a joke out of it. So just listen to (or read, I guess) "My Thoughts".

The inspiration of my posts come from a myriad of different avenues. But it seems that recently, talk radio has had a significant affect on thoughts, that I might not necessarily have considered without it.

Today was no different then most days. I hopped in the car and tuned in to "The Russ Parr Morning Show", where I was greeted by Lil 'Wayne singing about an "officer". (go figure lol) I usually get mad when I hear music and no talk so I turned on a cd. I would've continued to listen to the cd, but I realized that it might be an interesting topic on the show. So I flipped back over to radio, and sure enough the topic was so controversial that I had to share it with you all.

I know for a fact that the majority of you who read this post are affiliated with some church. Whatever the denomination, you go to that church to hear the word of the Lord (or Allah). Some people take into consideration the size of the church, the popularity, or what the members have parked in the parking lot, as a basis for attendance. But how many of you go for the person that's delivering the message? I mean, does how he/she conduct him/her self play a big role in your attendance? Yes? No? Well listen to this...

On the show today, a woman sent an email in about a problem that she has with her pastor. Not really surprising, because a lot of people have some sort of disagreement with the leadership of their respective church. But her problem wasn't as superficial as wondering why the pastor is rolling around in a Benz while everyone else is driving a hooptie. She actually has proof that her pastor is not only bisexual, but he has been living on the down low for at least the last 4 years. Now, I'm not the type of person to put anything past anyone, but a person who is in a leadership position, such as a pastor, can not afford to make this sort lapse. Forget that the pastor is engaging in homosexual activity, which is clearly a practice that is not condoned by the church, he is also married which means he is breaking one of God's commandments. Now, far be it from me to sit up on my high horse and pretend that I haven't sinned or fallen short of the expectations that God has for me, but then again I'm not appointed to the position of spiritual leadership. That's not to say his sins are any worse than mine, but his are under a microscope of an entire congregation, while mine are simply overlooked by people whom are not in my inner circle. I'm sure at some point over this past paragraph, you've asked yourself the question, "How is the emailer so sure the pastor is bisexual?" Well apparently he has been in a secretive relationship with her blood brother for the past 4 years.

As you can see, I have a problem getting to the point. The purpose of this post was to get your feedback on this story, and to see if you would continue to be apart of the congregation where the leadership didn't necessarily practice what he/she preached. I intend to leave my opinion in the comment log after I've gotten enough feedback. But whatever my opinion is, "It's Just My Thoughts, Just What I Was Feeling at the Time."