Where the Hell are you going? And why did you go there?

How appropriate that I started this blog three years ago and I'm just now finishing it up.

I do that with my blogs. I wait for inspiration to strike even if it takes three years...

I have to talk about something. Right now, November 9, 2015, I am in a rush! I am SO anxious to get back home that I am risking falling into the most dangerous habit of all. Routine. It's routine that kills hopes. It's routine that kills dreams. It's routine that kills us.

Moving/running fast will not make the earth spin any faster. In fact, it may make the world seem like it's moving slower. I know many people may assume they can force the effect of time flying by when you get busy by faking busy. Unfortunately, busy doesn't work that way. If you are busy with no business, time will drag.

I'm starting to realize this constant state of being in a rush may be common. Is it outside forces or some other anxiety that makes people move so fast with no direction. So fast, indeed, that we have just become larger versions of those children we would see acting out. I've see a lot of grown up Cartmans. And how do you tell an adult aged person they need to grow up? They have children. They pay bills, mostly on time. Or as Maya Angelou said, “Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging.” And that's what most people believe growing up is about.

So, we've become a country of men and women barreling towards mid-life crises. Men and women 
are making it to 40 and 50 having done a bunch of stuff without any idea about why they did all that stuff. So much so, there is a $12 billion dollar industry devoted to finding out who the hell we are, where they hell we are going, and, maybe, why we've doing all this stuff. Unfortunately, by 40-50, we've created more ungrown ups, perpetuating the cycle of adults spiraling down the road to mid-life crisis.

When we are 18 to 25, we are excited. Concrete plans or not, we know we know everything and we know how to make all our hopes and dreams come true. So we do it. We try.We fail. We try again. We try some more. We keep shooting for the moon. And then, one day, we have to get a real job. 
For the majority of the week, we are working for someone. We travel to work. We move around for a respectable amount of hours. Then we travel home. Sometimes we're tired. Sometimes we're stressed. Sometimes we bring some work home. We repeat that a few times. Then the weekend is here. We get with our friends and talk about pretending to do stuff. We discuss our great/wack/zany/weird/wacky/creepy bosses/coworkers. We compare notes. Apparently, all office bathrooms look the same. And all of a sudden the weekend is over and we forgot to go to sleep, we were having so much fun with our friends. Now we have to do this work thing again, only tired. And we are officially looking forward to the next weekend.

Before we know it, this is the cycle. We live for the weekend. Eventually, vacations come. More stuff comes. We get more money we buy more stuff. We do more stuff. Coffee/caffeine/tea/meditation is introduced at some point. We start fitting things in on the weekends, the weekends get shorter, the work weeks seem longer but they start to fly by... One day, to you get an instant message from some douche bag you haven't spoken to since High School asking you to come to the 30 year reunion and write a book report about all the stuff you been doing. 

At first, we still have our hopes and dreams. Two or three came true but a thousand more are unfulfilled.Things seem to get easier. You're now officially 'humming along.' You don't even notice you are actually humming. There's a noise about you now. That noise is the sound of being busy. Now we are officially adults. We are like everyone else. We are busy.

Doing what?

Nothing.

We've started doing stuff because that's what adults do. Stuff. Buy stuff. Sell stuff. Cook stuff. Drink stuff. Eat stuff. Give stuff away. Have stuff. Hold stuff. Drive stuff. Play stuff. Love stuff. Hate stuff. See stuff. Hear stuff. Believe stuff. Praise stuff. Talk stuff... We're doing it! Sometimes we like the stuff. Sometimes we don't. But we're doing it. and we seem to be doing more and more stuff faster and faster.

We didn't notice the change. Now we are in a rushing. We are rushing everywhere.

I live in LA with some of the most laid back, 'content' people in the country. Put them behind the wheel of a car, they are speeding! Except from 4 pm to 8 pm, they are idling along cursing (sometimes under their breath...) about not being able to speed.  They forgot all the money they spent on the car and the sounds and the GPS and the TVs and Howard Stern on XM that they can't watch/listen to because they're in a rush, speeding.

I lived in New Orleans, the Big Easy. Until they want a drink. Hollering and screaming. Ordering five at a time, for themselves (maybe that was only me...). Paying/tipping extra to be first. Because they only have all night to get drunk. It's a holiday. (It's always a holiday in New Orleans) But they forgot they went out to unwind and ended up wound up over a drink...

All over the country, we have to park in front and be in the front of the line, get it first, see it first. We want our ticket to say #1. We have to see the movie/Netflix ASAP because some asshole is going to spoil it. We don't read the articles because the headline tells us the story. We don't read the instructions because we can figure it out (yeah right!). We're always running late because 'the hasty man always works twice' and we don't have time to figure out what that means because we're late and if we move fast enough like superman we can reverse time...
We can't.
We're stuck in the routine. It rarely changes. Our hopes and dreams are deferred. It's just the cycle. Over and over. And over and over. And we keep speeding through it because maybe we can squeeze a minute of life and Love and real living into it, one day...

And then we die.

If this is you and your life, stop. Give me five minutes. I know I wrote a lot and made you read.
A lot...
Take five minutes. For yourself. Be silent. Sit still. (THATS going to be SO hard) Try to do nothing.
(Except breath. You ain't suing my ass for your ass being a dumb ass...)

At the end of five minutes of nothing, ask yourself - Where the hell am I going?

Schedule another five minutes for tomorrow (or in two years because I know you're busy. with stuff...) and focus on the answer to that.

Seriously start with five minutes a day. Make sure you're rushing in the right direction. Review your mission.If you haven't, write your mission. Write out a trust. Write out a will.

Figure out where the Hell you are going or you are ONLY going to die and nothing else.

Try something new.
Live!

Crenshaw Update

What a year!

This time last year I was working my network to find out what was going on at Crenshaw. Anyone who knows or has followed me knows how much my alma mater means to me. A lot had changed since Crenshaw came to Georgia ranked #2 in the nation. Even more has changed in this past year. When I finally figured out what GCEP was and attended my first board meeting Crenshaw was up against maybe the biggest challenge of all the challenges this school has been through. That’s huge when you include accreditation crises, a name change, and super low test scores as well as low enrollments. HUGE! After all, Fremont was no more. And now, Crenshaw  (the name, the school, the building, the students) are safe for years to come.

What happened at this meeting was more than verification of all the things I’ve been seeing this year. Egomaniacs have brought my school to the edge of ruin. Thank God for Superintendent Dr. John E. Deasy. Only an egomaniac or a moron would not understand and try to find a problem with him. And we’re talking about teachers so they can’t be morons… I offered my seat to some Beaudry [LAUSD headquarters] women. They didn’t take it. I just kept standing for 90 minutes. And then I walked home. I wanted to shout out quite a few times. And contrary to what I imagined a year ago, it was the faculty I wanted to yell at. They reminded me of my friends who keep dating the wrong person and don’t want anyone to tell them they need to change. It’s not their fault. They must be allowed to continue doing what’s not working. I’m calling bullshit!

Here’s what I saw and heard:

Both times the Superintendent showed up to Crenshaw he was more than on time and thoroughly prepared. Being of your word is paramount. I can tell from the way he speaks that Dr. Deasy lives by that.

He started out with the numbers, which we know are poor. But he added emphasis that I was unaware of. Number one was that our API was the lowest in the district. Then our passage rate for the exit exam was virtually half of the LAUSD average. I was under the impression that the entire LAUSD was in trouble. The truth is that only a few schools are still struggling. And then he mentioned an issue that took center stage in the rest of the meeting and was near and dear to my heart. There are 2417 students in the attendance area of Crenshaw high. We only get 900 of those. We lose 150 to Westchester, 180 to Hamilton, 80 to University… all across the LAUSD where the large majority of that 1500 still go to public schools. We are not losing to private schools. I went to Westchester and I had a sister and two nieces go there. I know firsthand, no matter how diverse the faculty is, some communities just aren’t as concerned with the success of our children as the people in our own community.

So the plan is to “improve outcomes” (that’s better test scores) and bring students back to Crenshaw. [So you mean you don’t want to close Crenshaw or sell our building out to charter schools? You want to actually make the school stronger than ever?] With three new Magnets: Information Technology, Media and Entertainment and a STEMM (That’s right Science Technology Engineering Mathematics AND Medicine! [Medicine is HUGE]) Dr Deasy hopes to bring back students to Crenshaw High. Essentially, bringing these magnets in is the way to get more money in to help the school. And THIS IS THE BIG PART Dr. Deasy said, flat out, we (Crenshaw) are getting more money than any other school in the district because we need and deserve it. I almost came to tears at this point. More money, more students, more attention, POSITIVE attention, more all around Love, just for us.

And Dr. Deasy anticipated what I didn’t, fear and dissent. So, he challenged the staff not to fight overtly or covertly. As soon as he said it though, it became obvious that some staff members are afraid of not fitting in.

The first teacher to speak waved her ego flag proudly. She wrote questions down because she was probably the only person able to handle multiple thoughts at once. Dr Deasy would obviously need interpreters and tutors to be able to answer them. I didn’t even write them down. I expected Dr. Deasy to reread them but instead the teacher distracted him with some more flag waving and negated her own questions. He actually answered them but they were distorted as she spoke over him to offer more of her credentials.

Then next teacher, Christina Lewis had been there for eight years and had exceeded growth targets all eight years. She was afraid of this new plan. She liked last year’s model. She wanted a guarantee that HER children would continue to excel. (In the last eight years Crenshaw has had seven principals. If she could excel through those changes, what was she worried about?) Marguerite LaMotte stepped in to say that sure, there were pockets of excellence all over the school, but the entire school was failing. She passionately expressed her Love for the school and said ALL of the community should want to go to Crenshaw. If the teachers weren’t already riled up to fight the board they may have clapped for her. Dr. Deasy responded by guaranteeing that we will work to achieve for ALL students. He indicted the room by saying that we should not fail with all the talent in this room.

Some other lady stood up and blah blah blah… she agrees with the other lady who was scared of change… Crenshaw means 60s to the students… Can you differentiate between transformation and reconstruction? How is an IEP in Encino different from and IEP at Crenshaw? Blah blah blah…

At this point I was clear. Although Dr. Deasy had made it clear multiple times that no one’s job was in danger, I would have been quite alright if he fired every single one of the teachers and only kept the administration. It had been quite a while since I was around this much douche baggery. The questions…

And they continued…

Question: Why is it necessary to change the entire staff?
Deasy: That decision is not made [yet]. That will be made by the administration of the building… It’s not working.
Q: Are we a part of the problem?
D: All teachers must apply to one of the three magnets.

I’m adding to that. And when YOU do, dumb question asking lady, be prepared to end up at Henry Clay. (Is that a bad school? I don’t know. Send them to a really bad school) Go back to the “It’s not working statement”.

Then Mr. Schafer got a pass for reciting his credentials because they actually were directly related to his question…

Q:  The Gifted magnet has performed very well. What are the criteria for this decision(to replace the gifted magnet)?
D: That history of excellence, throughout the LAUSD, is why. AND Gifted Magnet is underperforming the rest of the LAUSD.

I didn’t know that. Good info. So even the “pockets of excellence” can do better!

Now back to the douches…

Q: Are you looking at the data? Accreditation and merger as they affect the potential of Gifted Magnet as outside influences
D: Both older data and recent data are considered. I don't know how to respond to outside forces. "There are a lot of lessons to be learned at Fremont. We didn't do it as well as we could have."

Q: Afraid it will scare students (leaders) away. What will keep the students we need here to stay here?
D: We need every student here. We need to figure it out. We will see a gifted component across all three magnets.

Q: What is the timetable of success? 13 principals in 17 years
D: Let's work to make that happen.

Q: Why three magnets? Why these three?
D: No even numbers. Three is the most the school could handle, five would be too many. Similar magnets are attracting OUR students who have decided to leave.

Q: (Coach Maxey) It's a misnomer to think that the magnets will attract the students. Magnets need to be more practical to the community. We need skills (auto shop, wood shop...)
D: The 1400 (who go to other schools) are going to college at a higher rate. Don't choose the future for students. The economy is not suited to support "just getting a job" out of high school. We are losing kids to schools (Manual and Dorsey) with higher crime rates [Because Coach Maxey reiterated the crime rate in my neighborhood.]

Q: De-stabilizing effect of reconstitution. What guarantee do we have of a stable admin?
D: There isn't. [After he invited the entire staff to be included in the process of KEEPING the admin] Admin is also reapplying but I hope they all stay.

Q: Will students have to reapply?
D: That’s not a good idea.
Q: Will teachers experience effort to stabilize turnover?
D: If you're doing a good job, yes. If not... Henry Clay…

Then Alex Caputo Pearl came with a little bass in his voice:
Q: Why wasn't moral imperative there in the summer? Where was it in the entire two years you've been here?
[A little indignation]
What about the data?
D: [Don't challenge a Boston Irish man!]
Of course, he didn’t say that. That’s what I was thinking as Dr. Deasy responded with equal or more bass in his voice and a short back and forth ensued.
Q: How can you say this is a done deal? Without having consulted staff, parents, community...
My Answer: There are too many divisive factors. The data is the only reason the school is not closed.
D: We are NOT improving
“I am responsible to the youth in the community [and no one else.]”

A thirteen year douche bag:
Q: How can you make a decision without consulting the students who are here? Is the main focus on the students who aren't here? When will we have a written plan?
D: My staff and you will do that (make the plan). My decision is based on what is going on here AND what is going on elsewhere. Students don't know what they don't know. So, they may not have the best plans for themselves.
[My Answer: Teenagers are stupid. Dr Deasy won’t fall for you using them as pawns.]
My goal for plan is January

Q: What is the guarantee that faculty will stay diverse?
D: We want the faculty to stay diverse. Period.

I’ll add that nearly all faculties are diverse.

Q: Where has this worked before?
D: The very schools where these students are going and Huntington Park

Q: Were the Grade level assemblies a listening meeting?
D: No. They should have been. This meeting was late

Q: Who will interview the staff?

D: HR on site
Q: How will new admin make an informed decision on hiring?
D: They won't that's why we hope admin will choose to stay.

Q: Came up in IEP meetings. Where do moderate to severe kids fit into plan?
D: They won't be phased out. It will be at guidance of faculty but no conversion into magnets. That (conversion into magnets) won't work

Q: Will the magnet attract kids from all over?
D: Yes. Residents get priority. We will provide buses (for kids from farther out).
Q: Will support staff have to apply to a certain magnet.
D: That has not been decided yet.

(Most of that is paraphrased as I was typing on my Blackberry. But it is VERY accurate.)

I just don’t get it. This school year started with most of us concerned about there being a school next year. Now, there most certainly will be and, along with that, a commitment: in words, in resources, in money, in deeds from the LAUSD to make our school much better. Have the teachers been beat down so much by negativity that they can’t see this for the opportunity this is? The principal has said over and over that he wants to stay at Crenshaw as long as he can. The Superintendent just said he wants the principal to stay. Why are we asking if the administration will stay the same? THEN, how hard is it to apply to one of the three magnets? Do you not think you’ll get in? It’s up to the principal who’s already there because he IS staying. Ask him. Or do you think he sees that you have been sabotaging his efforts already with your negativity?

This is an optimal opportunity. We have a young principal who can and will stay for more than a few years. We still have A TON of notoriety and good press working for us. We have the money… Mrs. Florence Avognon, teacher of the year, (Wouldn’t it be great to get her back?) said to vote for more money for schools and it passed. The Superintendent of the LAUSD directly stated that he planned things this way so that Our school could get the most money, more than any other school in the district. And he stripped GCEP of their authority. And who cares about that anyway? They must not have had any money anyway since they admitted to never having performed an audit once in their five years of operation. Who does that?

And Crenshaw wants to bicker. Well, Crenshaw’s teachers this time. I’m tired of it. I’ve been seeing it since I was a student and my father was the community/parent activist. Too many people are worried about bonuses and titles. Too many others are just worried about what they can get, even if they have to steal it. I look forward to “The Snakes” being revealed. The rest of this year will be interesting.

As alumni, the opportunity is MAJOR! So many of us have found niches to fit into and help out. There is much, much room to continue helping. And the pressure is off. So we can get organized. No more four and five Facebook groups. No more! No more refusals of our self appointed leaders to cooperate with one another. Need I remind people older than me that we aren’t in high school anymore? The cliques are over. We are supposed to be on that campus guiding its future, not begging for pats on the back. There is no time for egos. NEVER is there time! I’m just saying it once. Grimble says I get too long winded and most of yall won’t read this far anyway so I’ll be brief. A few people should expect calls from me and then the next 2500 words I write will be about the snakes within the alumni. And we have a few.

We’ve been in Love with Crenshaw since Junior High (everyone wasn’t fortunate enough to go to Audubon). All I want to do is to keep Loving my school. Join me. Let’s Love Crenshaw again. Now is the time. We’re getting ready to win, again, BIG!!! 

What I Learned In Church 11-11-12

Father Joe spoke about faith. By all means, the stories/concepts covered in 1 Kings 17, Hebrews 9, and Mark 12 were surely some tests of faith. You know I like to build on success. 


These are some thoughts I had:
What if the widow was greedy and Elijah actually enlightened her to eat smaller portions? Often times a perspective shift can seem like a miracle. The health movement is growing all over the country. For someone who  believed they HAD to eat a certain way (Carbs, processed food,..) to be shown that something else was actually possible can seem like a miracle. What is that is what happened to the widow who thought her food wouldn't last the week? That doesn't diminish God, we all know how hard it is to get people to change! That just makes the story less fantastic. 

Paul wrote about how Jesus sacrificed his life (ego) to erase sin. We must do the same. 'Christians' get too passive. Everyone loves the interpretation where Jesus died for our sins, we don't have to make sacrifices (killing pigeons, turtle doves and calves) and all our future sins are forgiven as long as we TRY not to sin... But there's more! Paul often writes about this battle with the flesh and the spirit, the things we want to do and the things we need to do. Those fleshly things may very well be what we call Ego. So the work we must do to actually be Christian is to sacrifice our 'life's. Give up the things of ego that make up the image of our lives. Most 'Christians' are still trying to be cool and keep their ego. God does NOT negotiate with terrorists! And the ego is a terrorist. Don't get caught in the middle. Choose a side and stay on it. THAT is Christianity - choosing the ego-less side of Jesus and Staying there!
"It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these." We are heavenly things! This is in reference to the animal sacrifices of the past. We used to give up a little bit of another creature's flesh to repent. Now, to repent, we must give up ourselves. We can be siblings of Christ. IF, we choose to CONTINUE to achieve spiritual success. 

The story of the widow's two cents is well known. But knowing is not enough and, oddly enough, that is the true point of the story. It's miraculous and note worthy to choose God after your life has been devoted to sin. When a gang-banger walks down the aisle and stops banging, when the hooker leaves the street corner, THAT is on the level of the widow. Because those past lives were ALL they had and they gave it up for God. Make SURE that's ALL you have! A lot of us come before God with more to give and, AGAIN, try to negotiate. God want's it ALL. And it's not about money, your ego will tell you its about money. But you have time, you have talent, you have energy to give. You have bad habits, bad relationships, poor outlooks, bad feelings ... to give up. Give it ALL. God is not going to accept "I'm just an asshole. I'll be an asshole for God." NOPE!!! Give it up!Walking down the aisle at church or working you way up to leading a bible study is something great, congratulations, but you know there is more, keep going! Quit trying to go back. Stop trying to make your way, God's way. God's way has already won victory over ALL other ways! Be prepared to see things a different way, then do it. And then, DO IT AGAIN!!! Growth means your life will continue to change without end. Keep learning, keep living, keep growing, KEEP SUCCEEDING...

What I Learned Outside of Church

What I Learned Outside of Church 9/23/12

I wonder if it’s a thing when ALL of the readings tie together as easily as they do this week. These readings are not picked by a pastor so he could match them to his individual message. They are sometimes seemingly random and difficult for even the most learned bible scholars to connect. Essentially, they provide priests with options for the Sunday sermon. Today, one message was clear. Maybe it’s because of where my life is now.

            This week, we start in the book of Wisdom. The first line of the chapter is the key. “For, not thinking rightly…“ We start out with a little hope and, when it doesn’t work out the way our impatient ego demands, that little bit of hope dies. Hopeless, we choose a life of vanity and ego. We become self serving instead of servants. After we have become self righteous people, we hate to see righteous people. They are reminders that we have given up hope while people still exist who have not given up yet and, likely, never will. It’s a form of envy. This hate says, “How dare you find hope where I could not find any!” It’s all ego. The Bible calls ego self/selfishness/flesh.

            The verse in James covers two chapters. So… You know what that means. Chapter three starts out with the power of the tongue. It points out one of my favorite Ras Kass lines. “I gave man dominion over the Earth, to master the wealth. But most of my children don’t have dominion over thyself.” Just like in Mark 7, it reminds and encourages us to be careful of what comes out of our mouths. “…but no human being can tame the tongue.” is not saying it’s not possible. It’s just saying that it seems that impossible. Of course it is possible. It’s just with so many people not practicing self(ego) control, it can appear that no one is practicing self control. Remember, we hate righteous people so we avoid them. We chose to be hopeless and the law of attraction is surrounding us with other hopeless people. Of course, looking around us, it would seem impossible to control our tongues because who around us does?

            The end of chapter three and beginning of chapter four we are warned of the dangers of ego. Jealousy and selfishness are obviously the fruit of ego and lead to disorder and EVERY bad habit. The ego is the cause of war and division. If you are only serving your self(ego), then the laws of abundance will be abandoned and, instead of cooperation, you will choose manipulation to get what you want. The ultimate form of manipulation is bullying which, on a larger scale, translates to war. Being around a bunch of hopeless people, we tend to distrust and bicker amongst each other. Why? Because we don’t have a common goal/cause. We are each serving our own egos and denying each other. Of course, we are going to hate on that and call each other haters.

            Even the disciples fall victim to ego. In Mark Chapter 9, Jesus catches them arguing over who is greatest. Sound like a dick contest? It was. Jesus took the opportunity to instruct them in humility. “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Even the churches today slip up with this one. They proclaim to the uninformed that Jesus had a favorite. Jesus Loved the world. That is the entire planet, not the ‘world’ as in worldly ways. Then he grabs a random child and reminds us all that giving up our egos is the only way we can achieve Godliness from a child through Jesus. We always use children as symbol of innocence. We should also see children as the last time we were egoless. It’s parents who instill ego into children, either directly or by modeling.

So we come full circle. Through children we can remember being egoless and hopeful. Now is the time to reflect on when we gave up hope and embraced ego. Maybe we haven’t given up hope totally and it’s situational. From time to time we just choose ego. It takes practice. The practice shouldn’t be selfishness but selflessness. The question in situations should be whether it is mandatory to hold on to our selves. It never is if we believe in what we say we believe in. Practice! Ask yourself ALL the time and EVERY time if you can serve God by giving up your self.

What I Learned Outside of Church...

Where is your faith?

I didn’t make it to church but, being a part of such an organized church, the weekly readings are easily found online. So, I’m taking a stab sharing my own understanding of the day’s readings. Usually, the readings are harder to put together into one message. This week, providence came in the form of various issues with family and friends. I thank God for the ability to connect and focus on the solution MOST, if not all, of the time.

So let’s start with the prophet Isaiah. In chapter 50 the church’s focus is not forgetting that God is there all the time to help, encourage and protect us from ALL things. But, sometimes, we forget. And, reading the WHOLE chapter (Because that’s how WE role), we see that Isaiah was REALLY discussing us turning our backs on God. God has never left us. We leave God. We forget that God is with us in the dark as well as in the light. If we want to receive those blessings from verses 5-9, all we have to do is remember and not turn our back on God because God won’t turn his back on us.

Moving on to James Chapter 2, we all know the verses about faith without works being dead. But let’s get into the details of the work. I work with a lot of different charities and community groups. The main hindrances are politics, egos and cliques. So while we all are focused on work, work, work to prove our faith, there is also a warning against the very divisiveness that will kill any good work. Treat Everyone The Same. Don’t have your favorites. Don’t choose political parties. Don’t make allegiances to cliques or classes, because THOSE things will become bigger than the work and turn a positive into a negative.

            My high school alumni are battling that right now. In order to work, some people want to consider class, age, social status, friendships, egos before just getting to work. So much so, a lot of the workers have been turned off despite the overwhelming need and urgency at my high school now.

I remember my faith so I respond with work. I work with everyone. I avoid cliques. I just WORK! I remember that the work is more important than any petty differences among my alumni. My faith in God and the success of my school means that I KNOW my work will not be in vain. I know that the real work will not be stopped. With a strong faith in God and my community, I remember that God in with me no matter how troublesome the problems within my alumni seem. So I work. And, with God, we will win.

And now, the gospel according to Mark… In Chapter 8, after Jesus feeds 4,000, he warns his disciples about eating of the Pharisees and Herod and they misinterpret that to mean real food. It’s the spiritual food he is talking about. They may have begun with good intentions but are now poisoned with rhetoric, politics, egos, and traditions of divisiveness. If only the disciples were able to hold onto that message… Then, after Jesus heals a blind man, he tells them of his coming death and Peter tries to rebuke him. After all Jesus has done to teach and prove his powers, including instilling his disciples with similar powers, Peter and the rest of the disciples still held onto selfish (corporal) beliefs and responded incorrectly. Death is not the end for Christ and true Christians. It’s just a process. But, because we still hold on to so much of this world (almost to the point of turning our backs on God’s world), we are still afraid of death. We still try to avoid losing all the things we can’t take with us.

So often, even in the midst of God, in the middle of doing Godly work, while the sun is the brightest, we bring the shade of worldly ways and lose our focus on God. We see it in politics, we see it in our churches, and we see it at home. We see people choose their own egos and turn their backs on God. We see people dismiss each other when they could be collaborating for the common good. We see people choosing failure over cooperation. And sometimes, we do it ourselves.

            Jesus came and went. Although he will come again, he’s not coming to lead us, but to see how well we have led ourselves. Dr. King, El Shabazz, Gandhi, and Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy are gone. They will Not return! But, like Jesus, they left us with instructions to lead ourselves. The work is not hard anymore. The focus is. Stay focused on God and not all the reasons to quit. We say we believe in victory but get discouraged when the other team shows up.

We must have faith in our work! We must also work our faith. We say we believe in this or that. We say out God is almighty. Prove it!

The Power of The Media

Mark Chapter 7 (Read it ALL) This is just a high light. “14 After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. 16 [[f]If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”]”

Everyone who knows this story knows it’s about food. But doesn’t Jesus use parable to go deeper than the surface? So let’s go deeper.

I have a friend whose favorite rap artist is Brotha Lynch Hung. If you don’t know who he is, he is likely the MOST vulgar rap artist out there. He makes Eminem seem like a gospel artist. This friend of mine hardly ever curses, didn’t drink until recently and still only rarely, and is one of the nicest guys in America. Isn’t that an oxymoron of American culture?  How could it be after more than twenty years of listening to vulgarity this man can lead an unvulgar life

            Simply, he is responsible to his actions. So many of us are so irresponsible for our actions.  [] Tradition is why we do it. “I just don’t know why I did it. Must have been all the Basketball Wives and Bad Girls Club.” “My friends…” “My Family…” Or the worst one ever… “These kids…”

            A picture was posted on Facebook and the question attached to it was simply, “Does this offend you”

The answer to a true believer should be ‘NO’. It is possibly offensive to the person who made it. He and he alone will have to deal with the consequences of his actions. That is, unless a person CHOOSES to internalize this picture and allow it to control their response.

            What I see and am commenting on is a tradition of being influenced and/or controlled by the outside factors. The people I read about and am descendent from in the Bible are stronger than that. The power to tread scorpions is ours. “…nothing shall by any means hurt you.” That is, you/we who believe.

            What goes in doesn't defile you. What comes out does! Be aware not of what's being given to you, the media, associates, environment, family; be aware and responsible of your response (what comes out). No matter what, you are responsible for your actions. Why is it that we know better and still give all the power over our actions to outside influences? Maybe we don’t know better. Maybe we don’t believe in what we know. Maybe… we don’t believe in what we think we believe in…

What I Learned In Church 9-2

I don't owe anyone an explanation for my dedication to church but it may help someone come closer to God if I share my views. I attempted this with one atheist who must go unnamed because her life is in disarray and she is hiding from stalkers.

I was successful with another person. They tried to give me the “I’m spiritual. I don’t feel the need to go to church.”

I said I understood. I had been there myself. But my journey (And I say journey because we NEVER stop growing.) took me to a place of wanting to serve mankind. Being a business man, I know if you want to work, you must advertise. So I dress like an adult and I go to church. I study the bible. I don’t recite rhetoric. If and when people are looking for spiritual help, they know they can come to me because I advertise. I don’t go to church looking to receive anything anymore. I go to give. To, at least, learn to give better. To advertise my charity.
I go because I have learned to see God despite my environment. I don’t need the church to show me God anymore. I don’t need it to be Sunday in order to see God work. I see God in all my activities, in all my days. I don't go to church to get filled up anymore, I go to get emptied out. I am so blessed ALL 7 days. I can do nothing but give!

But I STILL get blessed on Sundays. Almost immediately after coming home to L.A., I was blessed to find a new church home. I even feel moved to become involved. I get to meet people. And not just people, I get to meet GOOD people. People like Vicki are the reason why I LOVE St. Agathas! I had the pleasure of sitting next to Vicki on Sunday for church and then running into her on Monday at the art festival. I take things like that as a sign of good people. I take being invited to walk the tithes down the aisle (totally random) as a sign of inclusiveness.

Why would I try to get anything, when I am given so much?

So that’s what I Learned in Church. It IS better to give. Just remember, giving is more than the action. It’s a perspective. 

Battle Blog #1: Michelle Obama vs. Clutch

So I’m on a mission to become a battle blogger. My new deal is finding bad writers, sell-outs and frauds and starting shit with them.

            Target 1: Althea Legal-Miller’s article in Clutch Magazine this morning

From the title I could tell where she was going with the article. Michelle Obama Undressed: Lost in Translation or Just Racist? Who wouldn’t pick racist? Racism is popular again. And who’s responsible? Clutch and Althea Legal Miller for taking the easy way out.

While she is aware of the background behind the image of Michelle Obama, Legal-Miller chose to gloss over the details and direct the readers to her simplistic view of things. “We must be vigilant” So look at things my way. I have to make it under the word limit so let me NOT bother to explain the article or the portrait. Let’s not bother with the fact that Michelle Obama is the only black subject in a portfolio of art nudes that includes Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, Albert Einstein and The President. That doesn’t matter neither does it matter that the portrait is based on a portrait of a recently freed French slave, a symbol of freedom (for women and black people) in France.

            “Michelle Tataranieta De Esclava, Dueña De América” (Michelle Granddaughter of a Slave, Lady of America) It’s (Michelle great-granddaughter of slave, owner of America) Lost in Translation? How about, I didn’t even bother to translate? I’m just mad about a bunch of stuff in America so let’s just call it racist. That way, we don’t have to bother learning about other cultures or histories. Understanding people’s differences is not our job. They’re just supposed to understand us. How hard is that?

            Apparently, it must be easier to understand us than it is for a writer/journalist to use google chrome to translate the Spanish newspaper into English. And, of course, we’ve never met an artist who assumes we should already know what message they are trying to convey. So “obvious reasons” HAS to mean racism to us. Racism is the most obvious thing in America. Not freedom. Not growth. Not success. It’s all racism. Just ask Madame Noire (That’s right! I went in on two magazines) and listen for while to the video on the side. They actually mention judging people on character not race. Imagine that.

If Althea Legal-Miller and Brande Victorian are so concerned with being seen as slaves, maybe they will consider actually educating and informing readers instead of selling out their intelligence.

Journal

This is an apology of sorts.

I'm sorry I'm away so much. This past month and a half have been interesting. Trying to find a way to organize my highly volatile life into a productive schedule, learning to say yes to life and no to users, getting sucked into playing diplomat for my High School Alumni and trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with my new friends.

SUPER exciting!

But for the last week I have been troubled . I wasn't doing what I Loved. And, come to find out, it has been over a month and a half since Decision 2012!!! I can't believe it. I've gone time before but I've been so caught up with life that I kept thinking it had only been a week or two. Six weeks later...I'm rambling an apology to to my readers.

So I was working on call with a moving company. That was fun. I got some exercise. I made a friend or two.  I got a bank account for free. I felt like I was winning. In a way, I was. It was definitely a step in the right direction. But it was just that, a step.
An English man working with the moving company gave the most appropriate answer when I asked him what he really did. He said, I haven't found my passion yet. Another coworker was actually following his passion. So much so that he would refuse to work at times to be in his studio. So profound and inspiring. Still, I wasn't a fit there. Temping/Waiting Tables here I come! So I learned to stick with my passion although I haven't been producing of late. It's fine. I"ll figure it out.

I've began working with two other companies since April. I am now you local Herbalife distributor. That is not a plug. I don't care if you want to stay fat. I don't care if you think you know everything there is to know about health. I live in Los Angeles. Everyone wants a beach body. I can help. No magic pills but delicious shakes and aloe and tea and health! Take it or leave it. Me Vale Verga
AND I'm super excited to have been invited back into the Real Estate industry. I have been certain for years that I could make money even in this economy with real estate. Now, I get to prove myself right. And I'm doing it with some Real Go Getters!
And I had to chump off my travel business sponsor. Not actually, but she's beggin for it. The last time my travel sponsor called me selfish for not convincing business morons that they can sale. I am a business man. I can sale. I am so good at it that I can sale by telling the truth. I can sale BECAUSE I tell the truth. I will not lie to socially inept people and sale them a business built around social networking. Just because you have no passion for anything in life, doesn't mean that everyone else is hopeless. So no! While I say yes to business and getting my own travel agency, NO to the bullshit that goes along with it.

Speaking of bullshit. My high school won the Hoodie Award for Best High School. Somehow I ended up behind the scenes of the drama that went along with it. I just wanted to help. My school needs it. My alumni need it. Mostly, it seems, my alumni need it. Some people who graduated from my high school LONG before I did must still believe they are in high school because they insist on cliquing up. Granted I am accepted and invited into all circles, but this is not about me. Charity is completely selfless. If any parties involved in the political behind the scenes of my high school alumni read this, SELFLESS. Whatever bullshit you insist on keeping up this year WILL be outed. I was warned about the snakes. I'm not worried about them one bit. I was given power to trample/tread/crush all snakes. So good luck people. I will win. My school will win. We always do!

And on top of all that, as my good friend would say - I'm sitting back munching on my Pop Secret popcorn watching people reveal themselves and their dysfunction.


Anyway, I'm back to work.
More to come...

Decision 2012!!!

 Decision 2012!!!

This is an important year on so many levels. There is a moderately important election going on. It's the Olympics. I'm building myself as well as my businesses. Oh and the planet is set to explode at any minute. Thanks for THAT news Mayans! And Mexicans wonder why no one likes them.

 No time for distractions.

With that in mind, I gave up drinking. Six months in, I realizing drinking may not have been my biggest distraction. For nearly as long as I’ve been drinking, maybe longer, I’ve been infatuated with women.

I am a flirt! Big flirt.

I love women. Since I started trying to hump at 3, it’s been nearly always about women. All of them. All the time!

Fast forward to today. I’m considering slowing down. I’ve always wanted to be married and have children. As a child of divorce, though, I MUST get it right the first and only time. So many ways to go… So many distractions… So many options… And, still, I thought I came close to being married. Thought! What’s a man to do? Being in my 30’s is better than I could have ever imagined. It is a smorgasbord of beautiful women. All up to par, and successful or knocking on the door… I’m paralyzed by the enormity of it all.

But I must decide. I am not a tyrant and I will not take advantage. I have before and I am so apologetic to those women I did not help but, instead, used. I will not do that anymore. Or, at least, I determined to be clearer about my decision. That didn’t work out so well. So now this is my announcement to the world. My decision in 2012, officially…

I am and will remain single (And enjoy EVERY moment of it) until a woman convinces me otherwise. And by otherwise I mean marriage.

One more time, for the hard at reading:

            The only exclusivity I believe in is marriage. Until my engagement, I will NOT be anyone’s beau, boyfriend, or any other kind of trick word for exclusive dating. If a boyfriend/exclusivity is mandatory en route to marriage for you, I’m sad to have missed getting to know you. But not too sad!
            I’m too busy enjoying my life. Single. 

RuggeD Posterity Mission

RuggeD Posterity

          Having traveled America, the importance of community, Love, family, cooperation, inspiration, abundance and Christ-like living have become so very essential. The Crenshaw community has become an example of what an urban community can be. I owe so much to this community for the foundation it provided me with. From 42^nd street elementary and the Boy Scouts to Audubon Junior High School to Crenshaw High School, even to playing basketball at 54^th street, this community has given me so much.
          Now, as I become the leader of my generation of community members, I must become aware of my responsibility and leadership. Because of my past, I have so much to give and it’s my turn. My neighborhood needs me and I plan to deliver.
          Not all of the recent changes inside and out of my community have resulted in growth. Too many have abused/abandoned what was given them and not enough have remained to give. No more!

          I determined, immediately after high school, that where many sought to abandon, I would be committed to my neighborhood. My children will grow up here. God willing, my children’s children will grow up here. Commitments of that type require work. There must be a community for them to live and grow in. That means the community must grow.

           I have become aware of many members of the community contributing their part to maintain the community from working with the children to community outreach to business building. By showing what community is in all areas, we can create community members who are more aware of the beauty they are a part of. Once they are aware, we can foster growth leading to more success, bigger businesses, vertical integration into various industries, a stronger and clearer culture as well as a larger investment into our own economies. 

        

          RuggeD Posterity is focused on preparing community members in all areas of life. By creating more well-rounded individuals. We are leading the way for building/rebuilding communities across the country. The vision is a strong community and we accomplish it by perfecting our foundation. 

RuggeD Posterity will coordinate existing frameworks in neighborhoods across America into solid communities which will contribute to the prosperity of our nation and the global economy. The mission from this day forward is to support the Powernomics principle of Vertical Integration and prosperity within the community by providing research, policy notes and economic strategies.

Choosing God - WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IN?

Some (A LOT) of my ‘Christian’/Religious brothers and Sisters make me wonder. Often. We all allegedly read the same book. How did they miss the part where God wins and the devil loses?

Listen to them speak and it will make you wonder who they believe in.  All I hear sometimes from people is – “The devil is a lie” “The devil is busy” “The devil is working today!” “The devil keeps poking me on Facebook” “The devil is doing that thing with a piece of grass in my ear to make me think a fly is on me.” The devil. The devil. The devil. And after all that, you might get one “God is good”.

And I go – What do you really believe? Did we read the same book? Through the law of abundance (which is called choosing God/living in the spirit in the Bible) I would believe you love the devil. So guess what the universe is going to give you more of?

Choose GOD!

Philippians 4:8-9 is the work you have to do. Everyone loves 4:6 because left on its own, you can ask God for what you want and don’t have to do any work. But NO! You must always work. THINK! THINK! THINK! Ephesians 6:12 says it is not about anything else but how you think. And the WORK is Ephesians chapter 6. “Put on the whole armor of God” Righteousness, truth, faith, salvation, Spirit and never stop praying! READ whole chapters if not whole books.

In Galatians Chapter 5, the Fruit of Spirit is Love. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through Love. Part of the spirit of Love is truth. A real Preacher (Ecclesiastes) will tell you the whole truth.

In Ephesians 5 – God’s example is Love. Live not as unwise but wise. Live as light and find out what pleases the Lord. It’s all in 1 Peter chapter 2 “So get rid of every kind of evil. Stop telling lies. Don't pretend to be something you are not. Stop wanting what others have. Don't speak against each other.” “People who don't believe might say you are doing wrong. But lead good lives among them. Then they will see your good works. And they will give glory to God on the day he comes to judge.” “By doing good you will put a stop to the talk of foolish people. They don't know what they are saying. God wants you to stop them.” “Live like free people. But don't use your freedom to cover up evil. Live like people who serve God”

It’s that simple. Choose God. Show it ALL the time! 

Why I Want Manny Pacquiao To Beat The Shit Out Of Floyd Mayweather

I’m not into conspiracy theories. If your life sucks, it’s because you suck. But every once in a while I have to ask - Has EVERYONE sold out? It’s like even writers are for sale. With each passing day I read an article that is more and more full of shit.
            So the title was Making Sense of ‘Money’ Mayweather. I will say it was a well thought out; articulate, poetic piece and it didn’t make a lick of sense. The consistent theme was manhood and how that was what Floyd Mayweather Junior was promoting. Maybe I’m a little too jaded and closed off to receive what Louis Moore is selling. Or maybe how Mr. Moore is presenting Mr. Mayweather is not how I would have done it. I don’t sell dreams. I give away the truth.
            Floyd Mayweather Jr. is exceptional because he was exposed to boxing often and early. He got his 10,000 hours before he could get disenchanted and give up on a dying sport. And now, he is the only hope boxing has of remaining relevant in the face of UFC 2,456. And he’s reaping all of the benefits of being the last real American boxer. And, because of Floyd Mayweather Junior, boxing will die – soon. So let it.

            I can’t stand to look at his face too long. I just don’t like loud people. It’s sad. The man has so much financial success and no concept of Love. But he is begging for it, loudly, with every opportunity he gets. Because the rest of America is lost and looking for the same thing, we have nothing to offer him but indulgence. Hopefully, by indulging this man child, he will find what we all so desperately seek. So we’re using him. And he doesn’t mind.

            In fact, Floyd Mayweather is well aware of his value to the public, which is why he won’t lose. He knows that it’s too late to lose. He’s said too much. There will be no comebacks. No Team Money Management to rival Golden Boy and Bob Arum. He’s the only fighter left and both De la Hoya and Arum’s camps are built around beating Floyd Mayweather so there will be no Mayweather promotions without Floyd Mayweather fighting. And he won’t lose.

            The reason he won’t lose should put an asterisk on his boxing legend. In short, Floyd Mayweather is ducking Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather is asking for stipulations that he has never asked for from anyone else. He is making accusations he has never made of any other fighter, ever. And we believe it because Floyd Mayweather’s fan base is made up of people who know nothing about professional boxing and Louis Moore.

            Manny Pacquiao has agreed to ALL of Mayweather’s demands. Mayweather’s response, more demands. I constantly have to wonder why. If Pacquiao is cheating, why not beat him anyway. The way Mayweather fights, he never gets hit anywhere but his shoulder. Mayweather has claimed to be so technical a fighter that he won’t get knocked out. And we’re talking about 150 pound fighters. I think I was a single digit age the last time I weighed 150 pounds and I’m not fat. Steroids, Performance Enhancing Drugs or not, what can a 150 pound man do to a man as skilled as Floyd Mayweather. This is, after all, the same Mayweather who has beat up men twice his size. Don’t tell me he’s afraid of an unfair fight. I’m sure his bodyguards won’t be too far away.

            It can’t be about the money. He is ‘Money’! He stands to get $45 million for a fight no one wants to see. Just imagine if we get a fight that we actually want. That we’ve cried over for years. That we’ve argued back and forth over and over again. Mayweather vs Pacquiao will be the fight on the Century (21^st century!). It will be the last great fight in boxing. One of the two will be KTFIR.

After that, boxing will be dead. Like Mr. Moore pointed out with Tiger Woods and Dennis Rodman, it’s over once you’re not winning anymore.

            So why beat around the bush? Why keep leading us around and around? Why waste money paying writers to make you look like a man? Just take the beating, keep the money and move on to something else. I’m sure a marketing genius like Floyd Mayweather has a few ideas about how to stay relevant after retirement.

            I wanted to explore this wide definition of manhood that includes Floyd Mayweather, but, just like Mr. Moore, I didn’t get a chance to. So let me end with this last plea.

Man up! Eventually, even sports morons will see through all the jaw jacking. Just get it over with. Fight the man. Win or lose, take it like a man. Show some respect for your craft and accept the only challenge left. Manny Pacquiao may very well ‘put them hands on you’. So what? In the words of John Witherspoon “You win some, you lose some. Like a man!”

Be a man for real. Fight!

The Jiggaboo Jeanine and Jason Show - Preview

This is just a preview for an upcoming talk show featuring my good friend Jeanine and myself. NSFW and NO CHILDREN ALLOWED!!! We talk about serious issues going on in the world in the rawest and most honest way we know how.

Buckle Up! It's going to get dirty!

Sponsored by Oovoo and The Think Tank!

Dumbing Down to Sell My Intelligence

I am the magical negro.

No I’m not. In fact, I may fight the next person who tries me up like that.

I am, however, very likely the smartest person you have ever met. I’m not bragging. I’m just repeating what I often hear and have heard since I left Brentwood. (Does that mean I’ve been associating myself with dumber and dumber people?)  I hope that’s not so because I have to make some changes.

Being a helpful person AND so intelligent, the greedy and selfish are always lurking as well as the lazy and dreamless. I’m just tired. Now that I am absolutely certain I can’t help everyone nor can I work with everyone,  I must avoid the users at all costs.

It’s time. This shit is getting out of hand. I am officially no longer concerned with anyone’s insecurities about dealing with me. ANYONE. I dimmed my lights for far too long to make people comfortable and they (All of them) STILL have to get their shit together. I’ve spilled out million dollar ideas and blessed people with the tools to create wealth. I’ve even slaved myself to build other people’s dreams. The results? Nothing. No success for anyone involved. The greedy just ask for more. The selfish are still asking why their shit doesn’t work. The lazy are still waiting on someone to carry them. And I’m tired and beat.

People think my help is magic. It’s not. They imagine I’m a genie they just rub the right way and blessings just fall out my ass.

What really happens is more like this:

Yeah, we’re in a C1. But, we’re at burger king:

When I could building you yachts, you wanna floss at Burger King. And I only chose that picture because that guy is supposed to be the latest “magical negro”. But, like I stated in the last Burger King Blog, it’s Burger King. If those are all the dreams you have, you need to just step aside. My dreams will use your dreams as a tax write off. If you have bigger dreams and you refuse to take any steps towards them, you need to Get The Fuck Out of the Way. I can eat your dreams and shit out dreams bigger than anything you can imagine.

All that is to say - I am disappointed in quite a few people. And because I have been blessed with many brilliant alternatives, I mean, I have so many new acquaintances, mentors and inspirations; I must shoot some people to the curb.

So! New Rules:

                I will not work with you without a vision. You and your ‘business’ must have a missions statement for me to even talk to you about life.

                I am not a secretary. I am a writer. I write. You want a letter, resume, some shit typed up/edited; hire a typist. I might actually do those things but not for free and you can’t afford me.

                I am willing and prepared to do some free work to establish myself. That does not mean I want to be involved in your slavery ring.

                If you don’t have your shit together, be prepared to pay. My advice is find someone else. I charge extra for doing extra and you can’t afford me.

                I am in love with networking, working online and home businesses. That does not mean I want to sign up to sell off brand coffee. The only businesses I am interested in that aren’t mine are Amway, Herbalife, and Traverus. I will not commit my time to anything else. Quit trying to sell me on ‘no selling’. GTFOH

                If you want to know what I know, go back to elementary school Billy Madison. I suggest Brentwood Science Magnet. It worked well for me. If you are my age and failed to learn what I have learned, what makes your dumb ass think I can tell you what I know in five minutes? I probably couldn’t teach you if I had the rest of your life.

You cannot have a dime from me. Today, I don’t even have a dime to give but it’s coming. I’ve seen what you do with money. Financially, most of you need to be wearing helmets on the short bus and get lunch tickets. No allowance. No lunch money. That’s all

                IF (IF IF IF) I work with you, Shut The Fuck Up! Whatever you have been doing for the last whatever days/months/years is stupid. If it was smart, I would be working FOR you. Or, you wouldn’t need me at all. There is no nicer way to say this. Believe me, I have tried millions (TRILLIONS) of variations. [I’m exaggerating. It was more like thousands]Trying to use my intelligence to fix your dumb ideas is like putting a mango salsa on rotten steak.  That shit don’t match and it’s too late anyway. Just take this recipe and eat up.

Just be honest. I know you’re a moron. But I’m still talking to you. You didn’t succeed in fooling me into believing you are on my level. You’re just wasting your own time. I’m, at least, getting a little laugh at you pretending to know things.  Just tell me what you want and I will tell you how I can help you get there. Sound simple? It is. That’s why I do the thinking

I may seem vain or mean. But so what? How inconsiderate is it to ask me to dumb down my intelligence for your cockamamie schemes? How retarded is it to spend time chasing thousand dollar dreams that have failed already when I have million dollar plans in my trash can? Just take one and run with it.

I must apologize. I just came up with this quote that I’m going to use again later this week for an entirely different subject. Michael Jordan doesn’t play pickup games. I may have misled a few people by even considering doing something like that. For that, I apologize. But know I won’t be getting involved in amateur hour.

That’s it. I still Love. I’m still generous. I just had to put some things out in the open so that people understand (If they care to know) why I can’t work with them and so future people know right off the bat how to approach me.

For the most part, people don’t have to worry. I won’t be around long enough to concern anyone. Like I said before, I am being blessed to get back into circles of intelligence. That means less time slumming it. It was fun. I had some good times, a lot of laughs and a ton of stories to tell. I’ll leave behind some instructions. If you ever bother to learn how to read, maybe I’ll see you again on the other side of success.

It’s bed time. Goodnight all. Goodbye some…

New Letter To My Probation Officer

I am writing instead of calling to inform you that I will not be returning to Georgia. I have made many attempts to explain the danger I expect having to return to Georgia. Since I am much clearer in writing, let me be straight.

I am not a criminal. I was too wide open in Georgia and involved with criminal elements. Although I did not plan to move to Los Angeles in this manner, I am grateful to be away from the criminal elements I was associated with. I must take offense at any suggestions that I “live on the streets” just to be within the law. There are MORE criminals on the streets. To make such a suggestion implies that there is no concern for my safety or rehabilitation. I don’t know what the priority is in that office but it is not growth or improvement.

I know I agreed to return to Georgia, after much urging and over-talking from Supervisor Fowler. After our most recent conversation (as soon as I hung the phone) I realized that we were talking about two pieces of paper. Mr. Fowler suggested he could fill out a warrant for my arrest if I failed to return. I am asking for a transfer form to be completed. The question of why this office seems to prefer one over the other keeps playing over and over in my mind.

I am not running. I am cooperating to the best of my ability. I will continue to call or email at regular intervals. I continue to live at 4150 w 60^th street, Los Angeles CA 90043. My phone numbers are 323-293-7555 and 323-710-7428. I am still looking for a stable income. I am truly a law abiding citizen. Please allow me to remain so.

I appreciate you reading this. If I do not hear from you in the next month, I will call.

Sincerely,

Jason Sloan

The Straw That Broke The Camel's Back (And got me back writing...)

I’ve had it!

With all the incessant Trayvonn Martin coverage, the ridiculous hoodie marches to nowhere to achieve nothing, I’m already at my limit. Then every “Black writer” wants to add their own “individual” injustice to the mix. After three weeks of incessant blogs, and post, and status updates and tweets, I have to ask myself “what is the purpose?”

For all things there is a purpose.  There is a lesson to be learned. There is an opportunity for growth. Where is it? Are we STILL marching? Where the hell are we going? We’ve been marching for 56 years and we’re still in Selma. That’s not progress. What all this is telling me is that people died for nothing. And it’s OUR fault! It’s not anyone else. US!

Look in the mirror! That’s you being a douche-bag.

Which brings me to the straw that broke the camel’s back. Thembisa S. Mshaka

Absolutely nothing wrong with the lady except for the way she came to my attention…
unacceptable. #AdFail? How about journalistic failure? This lady wrote The Book on the entertainment industry! And maybe that’s why I shouldn’t expect much leadership. It’s so much easier to jump on the victim bandwagon, than it is to create a new trend or just simply to tell the truth.

Let me break it down in similar fashion to Miss Mshaka since she provided the blue print for success…

This is 5 ways in which black people need to stop crying about a Burger King ad:

1.       Just because you know how to place the words: rude, terse and invasive together doesn’t mean it’s true. Jay Leno drove a car through a restaurant and ignored the same manager when he suggested the drive through. Salma Hayek took over the “line up”. (Learn Spanish!) And no one paid for their food.

If we’re going to cry injustice, let there be one. Next week Mary will be a Diva again and it will be OK to interrupt people.

2.       EVERYTHING at Burger King is Unhealthy even the sugar salad. If the insinuation is that black people will only buy the snack wrap because that’s the item Mary featured, GTFOH! Healthy people know better. Adults know better. I will even venture to say middle schoolers  know better. Don’t try to sell that ‘black item/white item’ shit over here. I ain’t buying it and, as a responsible citizen and (dare I say) leader, I won’t anyone around me buy it either.

And for the unhealthy, let them eat chicken without feeling like they are fulfilling a stereotype. I’ve been around black people who are scared to eat chicken in public. It’s uncomfortable for me and I don’t give a care. I’ll eat chicken in a “white” restaurant in white linen on a white carpet off a white woman if I’m hungry enough. (White women, take it easy. I’m just making a point)

3.       Salma Hayek gets to act because she’s and actress who’s been acting longer than Mary’s been singing. Jay Leno is a comedian, he gets to be funny. AND he buys three items because he has a guest. And the guest holds the tray because Jay Leno is driving. You drive and hold the tray with your proud ass! And David Beckham is, surprise surprise, an underwear model in addition to being a soccer player. He probably didn’t play soccer because he’s over the hill and only in America to sell his image because that’s what models do. And Mary sings. So – The – Fuck – What! Looks like everyone involved is showcasing the talent that got them paid $2 million dollars for a 30 second ad

Magical negro please…

4.       I’m sure if I wrote down everything I said, I could find where I predicted Mary would be doing Burger King Commercials. Once you sell out aka start getting paid for being famous, there are no limits. While I’ll admit Beyonce’ and Queen Latifah may not have done the Burger king commercials, they also wouldn’t have done Carol’s Daughter, Chevy, or T-Mobile. So? And Lauryn Hill? She won’t take money from anybody to do anything since 1998. The key is, someone has to do it. And both Beyonce’ and Queen Latifah have looked ridiculous for 30 seconds. It’s a commercial. They get paid to pretend they patronize these companies so the sheep will flock.

5.       Last but not least, Mary J Blige has been looking crazy and inspiring ghetto girls to embarrass themselves in public for two decades. THIS

is just as crazy a look as this:

Neither are high fashion, both are classic Mary. What she does do is inspire people to be risk takers.

Mary did this for more than 2 million dollars. Mary J Blige has never had a lane to stay in. Don’t ever expect her to do so. And for God’s sake, don’t try to put her in one. You want to briefly mention the poor sales of My Life II, will admit it was not because the album was anything less than phenomenal. IT was a classic collaboration and a welcome reprieve from the constant barrage of subpar music we’ve been subjected to in the last few years.

If you wanted to do something besides complain and ride the cry baby bandwagon, you might want to the little bit of good music that still gets made. Since no one can get Lauryn Hill to do anything new, Mary is what we got and I thank God for her. At least she still got to keep her check (I hope!).

And, by the way, I expect an industry insider to not mislead people. At twenty years in the game, the only person with less time out of the stars Burger King chose was an athlete. Athletes are lucky to make it 15 years let alone twenty. So while Mary may be a vet in a young genre, she’s got a way to go. Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin are still performing. If you’re going to keep it real, keep it honest too!

And for God’s sake, stop crying!

Racism Is Dead

Or it was until niggas started bringing up old shit…

The tipping point was two of Newt Gingrich’s comments. It wasn’t exactly him but the reaction to him. First he suggested children be allowed to work in high school. Then he supported the killed law in Florida that would drug test welfare recipients.

A lady asked me how I could not see the racism in those statements. My answer was – I chose not to. I believe in what Martin Luther King Jr. taught. I believe in the spirit of Gandhi’s message. I love Africa. I love America. I love Blacks. I love myself. I do not like African/Black Americans. We are so limiting to ourselves.

           

Newt called our president the “Welfare President”. Our tunnel vision is so narrow. Take a look around. Democrats support welfare. The last time the economy was this bad was when welfare began. The timing is ideal for a shift in “welfare as we know it” It’s called Between The Lines, we might actually consider doing that. Go deeper until you get inside yourself.

I know there’s no money in that, but trust me, it’s worth it. Why do we want to continue being common?

Racism! It’s easy. You can give a passionate monologue and include a big word or two and there you have it, an intellectual argument for lack. Because it’s something we can sound smart about and because many writers get paid to promote it, we are excused from responsibility.

The truth is we’ve brainwashed ourselves. We put ourselves in the maze (rat-race). We settled for less than our potential. Hey Black Adult Do you know you can be what you want to be if you try to be what you can be? Do you? So why aren’t you? Racism?

            We have the ability to achieve whatever it is within our vision to achieve. There is no limit to what we can do. The problem is not racism. It’s our vision. We are still fighting for rights we already have instead of using them to move forward. We want to march when it’s time to build. We want someone to tell us what to do. We’ve already been told.
            “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” And because of Dr. King, I can say without a doubt or fear of reprisal that his children are all assholes, not because they’re black but because they are assholes. That’s it.

            That, is The Dream! This world we live in where NO ONE can mention race is a mockery. You better not say Black, nappy, dark, urban, thug, nigg (don’t even form your lips to say ANY word beginning with the letter ‘n’ not nothing!), retard, welfare, Trayvonn Martin (his only mention), OJ, The Boondocks… I’m tired of things we can’t say. You better not get upset at a minority… You think Black people got lynched? Try saying the latest gang banger/drug dealer killed was anything short of an altar boy. Try it!

            Time for some truth. Racism is dead. Racist people are not. There will always be racist people. They will always say racist things. Don’t take it personal. The destruction of the Black race was the furthest thing from the mind of the racist of the hour. The most likely thought was frustration. Consider the source AND turn YOUR racism off. That racist is probably more concerned with his/her house note, lack of education, job pressure, losing a ratings war to Howard Stern, the democrat who is currently the leader of the free world, failures, fears and scarcity. Race/Nationality/Sexuality is the easiest excuse on both sides.

Racism is dead for me because I can take an insult. Learn how to handle insult and racism will die for you too! That guy called you a stupid nigger, not because you’re Black, but because you’re stupid. Quit being stupid! I’m not marching for your dumb ass.  Nothing personal, I just know how to solve problems. I can take a stand from my easy chair.

If you don’t want to listen to me, maybe you’ll listen to an OG.

“To try to fight a pathology that is incapable of being resolved is a waste of time. You can’t spend your time worrying about a philosophy…It’s really a philosophical myth…It’s not a reality. It becomes a reality when you start believing in it and bringing it into fruition your life. In order to battle racism is not to ignore it per say, but to evolve in a higher form which makes all of that obsolete. You rise above it.“- Tookie Williams interview with Tony Robbins