Malcolm X's Independence Speech and Black Nationalism Today

On March 12, 1964, after being censured by the Nation Of Islam, Malcolm X broke his silence with this statement on his beliefs and his plans for his community.

In 1994/5, I performed this speech many times at speech and debate competitions. Mostly I wanted to be different from the Martin Luther King crowd. back then, I thought there was a difference between Martin and Malcolm. I believed there was a split in the Black thought. I chose Malcolm. My journey showed me there could be split. Once I removed divisive thoughts from my perspective these words made a lot more sense.

After twenty years of forgetting theses words and not seeing them, today I am amazed at having developed a much deeper understanding of Black Nationalism that leads me back to these words...

This is everything I've learned and believe in as it pertains to Black Nationalism. It seems very timely given the atmosphere today...

Because 1964 threatens to be a very explosive year on the racial front, and because I myself intend to be very active in every phase of the American Negro struggle for human rights, I have called this press conference this morning in order to clarify my own position in the struggle, especially in regards to politics and nonviolence.

I am and always will be a Muslim. My religion is Islam. I still believe that Mr. Muhammad's analysis of the problem is the most realistic, and that his solution is the best one. This means that I too believe that the best solution is complete separation, with our people going back home, that is, to our African homeland.

But separation back to Africa is still a long-range program, and while it is yet to materialize, 22 million of our people who are still here in America need better food, better clothing, better housing, better education and better jobs right now. Mr. Muhammad's program does point us back homeward, but it also contains within it what we could and should be doing to help solve our own problems right now while we're still in America.

But internal differences within the Nation of Islam forced me out of it. I did not leave of my own free will. But now that it has happened, I intend to make the most of it. Now that I have more independence of action, I intend to use a more flexible approach toward working with others to get a solution to this problem.

I'm not out to fight other Negro leaders or other Negro organizations. We must find a common approach, a common solution, to a common problem. As of this minute, I have forgotten everything bad that the other leaders have said about me, and I pray they can also forget the many bad things I've said about them. The problem facing our people here in America is bigger than all the other personal or organizational differences. Therefore, as leaders, we must stop worrying about the threat that we seem to think we pose to each other's personal prestige, and concentrate our united efforts toward solving the unending hurt that is being done daily to our people here in America.

I am going to organize and head a new mosque in New York City, known as the Muslim Mosque Incorporated. This gives us a religious base, and the spiritual force necessary to rid our people of the vices that destroy the moral fiber of our community.

Our political philosophy will be black nationalism. Our economic and social philosophy will be black nationalism. Our cultural emphasis will be upon black nationalism.

Many of our people aren't religiously inclined, so the Muslim Mosque, Incorporated, will be organized in such manner to provide for the active participation of all Negroes in our political, economic, and social programs, despite their religious or non-religious beliefs.

The political philosophy of black nationalism means: we must control the politics and the politicians of our own community. They must no longer take orders from outside forces, and we will organize, and sweep out of office all Negro politicians who are puppets for these outside forces.

Our accent will be upon youth. We need new ideas, new methods, new approaches. We will call upon young students of political science throughout the nation to help us. We will encourage these young students to launch their own independent study, and then give us their analysis and their suggestions. We are completely disenchanted with the old, adult, established politicians. We want to see some new faces, more militant faces.

Concerning nonviolence: it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks. It is legal and lawful in this country to own a shotgun or a rifle. We believe in obeying the law. In areas where our people are the constant victims of brutality, and the government seems unable or unwilling to protect them, we should form rifle clubs that can be used to defend ourselves and our property in times of emergency, such as happened last year in Birmingham Alabama, in Plaquemine, Louisiana in Cambridge, Maryland and in Danville, Virginia. When our people are being bitten by dogs, they are within their rights to kill those dogs. We should be peaceful, law-abiding—but the time has come for the American Negro to fight back in self-defense whenever and wherever he is being unjustly and unlawfully attacked. 

If the government thinks I am wrong for saying this, then let the government start doing its job.

The Agenda

Marching is fine. It's a symbol of unity. A symbol that the people are dissatisfied and feeling under represented.

                What we are missing is an agenda. I was initially distraught at so many people I look up to repeating March, March, March and wished they would stop saying march and get to work. However, as it seems to be the case so often lately I must be the only one willing to do the work. So, since no one else is willing, I have some ideas...

                Police brutality in America, especially New York City, has become expected. The deaths of black men young and old at the hands policemen across the country has nearly become the expected end to police brutality. As tragic as these recent events have been, what is most disheartening has been the response by the 'representatives' of these affected neighborhoods. The severe lack of representation in Ferguson, MO and other cities like Tompkinsville, Staten Island is devastating. That there can be a city like Ferguson where the vast majority of its citizens aren't being represented should be a signal of distress across the country.   What the people demand is proper representation in the pursuit of justice. These citizens have been begging for representation long before this year. It took these tragic events to catalyze them into the streets.  Now is the time to act. Attorney General Holder is holding a civil rights investigation. The White House must come out of that investigation with some concrete actions. The following is what the citizens of this country demand and I expect:

1. There will be immediate elections in cities, like Ferguson, where the officials are obviously not able to represent the interests of the citizens of the city
2. There will be empowerment of organizations like the Staten Island Community Board to "police the police," to do the job they were created to do, represent smaller communities within larger cities like New York.
3. There will be mandatory body cameras on policeman all across the country. 
4. There will be election reform across the country to make it easier for citizens to vote and virtually impossible for any other interest to restrict voter access.
5. There will be a, new, national committee focused on collecting data to ensure the above actions are being fulfilled.

This is just the beginning. There will be more specific demands as the people continue to see holes in their representation that need to be filled. We will continue to march until justice is served. Justice can no longer be subjective. Today justice is not available to all of America's citizens. We must make it so. It is for each of us a sacred duty.

The time to act is now. We have the freedom to ask, as well as the freedom to act. We will be free.

Nicki Minaj Only Apologizes to Jews...

The title of the article that started this was - '

No Surprise here: Nicki Minaj apologizes to Jews for her most recent video'

It's just funny. This weekend it occurred to me to download the mixtapes Nicki Minaj put out before her studio album. It made me sad for her. A man with her talent may have also had to dumb down to get to her level of pop stardom. But he wouldn't have had to go through all that she has. (If you haven't listened to her early mixtapes, LISTEN before you respond.)




What the article (if you can call it that) missed was Nicki's history of being a provocateur. And we always fall for it. Or, that is, she always gets the appropriate amount of attention. [Sidenote : As long as ANYONE named Kardashian gets payed for being alive, I CERTAINLY support Nicki Minaj despite her hi-jinks] This generation has a ridiculously short attention span AND we have been seriously jaded. Add to that being a female artist fighting to be heard at even 70% the level of a male artist and you have Nicki Minaj. You have Looking Ass Nigga. You have Anaconda. And know you have 'Only'. These singles aren't the pop ballads that comprise 50% of her studio albums and 0% of her mixtapes. They are the solid hip hop tracks that wouldn't get a first listen without the surrounding controversies.

And now the serious stuff. The article that brought this song to my attention mentioned a preference for the sensitivities of Jews over African Americans. I will note that as I post this the video that is offensive to Jews is available online in its entirety and the album cover that was offensive to African Americans is only available in reference to the controversy on Wikipedia and within articles like mine. In this instance, I would consider that argument void.

In other instances however, the article brought up some valid points. The talking heads that represent the Jewish community do get a better response than other communities, especially ours. In fact, all lobbies from other communities get a better response than ours. And that is because we don't have a lobby. We don't have an ADL. We don't have a Rotary Club. We don't have a rainbow flag. All we have are separate individuals trying to be heard with no force behind our words.

Until we do, our artists will have to continue operating like Nicki Minaj and others if they want success and we have nothing to say about it.

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!

Spread Too Thin in Black America

I had a teacher at Crenshaw for like two weeks. She broke up with me. It was my senior year and I was trying to run every club. I was in every class (except AP Physics). Mostly I was walking the halls all day. Either way, she could tell I was doing too much. She took me to the side and encouraged me to drop AP U.S. History. The class was going to be demanding. I couldn’t give it much attention. She wanted more from me.

            I probably could have gotten a good grade but my lack of interest may have distracted the other students. So I left.

           

            After that, I was always conscious of spreading myself too thin. Doesn’t mean I don’t do it sometimes. Just means I am always aware of the delicate balance between being a brilliant multi-tasker and being depressingly overwhelmed.

With that in mind, black people are probably spread too thin. The focus is totally not there in Black America. We are seriously all over the place. We are ashamed of each other and we want to lift up everyone. We call everything racism and we can’t stand immigrants. We want more representation in media and the representation we create is unacceptable. We want to the government to help us AND leave us alone. We got to stop snitching and we want to get rid of all the crime.

            I’ve been in on a thousand arguments/discussions on a million and one topics in the Black community. No matter how passionate. No matter how loud we get. The arguments are always circular. For example, we hate “haters” and we want to make them our motivators and we want them to go away and we keep talking to them and we ignore them and we continue to respond to them. Or we have people in our lives that aren’t living right and we don’t want to judge them and they get on our nerves and we want them to get their shit together and we love to tell the stories about them messing up and we don’t want any of their mess in our lives and we Love them and will miss them if they leave our lives.

A few years ago, I had to have that conversation with my AP U.S. History teacher again. This time, however, I was alone and I played both roles. I had to stop myself and point out that I was spread way too thin. I was helping WAY too many people. I was wearing WAY too many hats. I was being WAY too many people for WAY too many people. It’s time to focus. The only way to achieve anything is to achieve SOMETHING. I had to prioritize, focus on only the most important things and put the rest to the side. Now I’m back on track.

            Part of being spread thin is that you can get distracted and end up refocusing yourself on the wrong things. I could have ended up selling cars and lying to people and not being myself. There was success there but that meant I would have put my writing completely to the side maybe forever. That wasn’t my true priority and I would have ended up lost

So, now, Black people are lost. We started with nothing and formed a vision and direction, lost it, started all over again, got lost one more time and STILL found another vision. Today, we are lost again. We are being pulled in every direction by every American trend because we think we must choose between being black and being American.

            Today everything is possible and that is the problem. We must choose something and we want everything. We want to be included in the mainstream and we want our own stuff and still don’t like sell outs. (BTW – the new sell outs are in the illuminati)

            I notice it in conversations. We support bums one day. The same bums get on our nerves the next. And, on another day, we wish all the bums would die. And in neither conversation does a true priority develop. And there lies the problem.

            We have no priorities anymore. Now that everything is possible, we have become distracted. The last time we had a vision is was this. We have achieved the ability to do all. Anyone who is into goal setting knows it is way past time to set some new goals.

            We need a new vision, a direction, for our future generations.

            With a direction and vision we used to be innovators and leaders. Today, with no direction or vision, everywhere I look we are no longer the innovators. Fashion, movies, music, sports, there’s nothing new anymore. HELLO! We’re slipping! New shit is our job. Let’s get back to work!

            We need a focus, a vision.  Maybe we should start with fashion:

This is not u and it’s not new.

Can we get something new please?

(Twice in a row. Can you tell how I feel about those stupid jeans?)

The bottom line is we need to reestablish our identity. We need a new vision. A new purpose. Even if it’s just defining our role in this new America, a change is coming and we need to make sure we are once again a major part of it.

Our new challenge is to pick a side and determine a direction and let’s achieve new heights.

Whatever we do, just remember let’s leave these behind:

Seriously! 

Inter-racial Dating: Why does it bother you?

I’m pro-choice. I’m also pro-keep it too yourself. I’m mostly pro truth. Choose either way you want, just be honest about why. In discussing the matter with friends, the question of motivation always comes up in the inter-racial dating discussion.

            I went to Facebook for answers. One interesting comment says: I really don't know how I feel? cause if my dad didn't date my mom I wouldn't be here...my kids wouldn't be here. I guess whats bothering me now is the last 2 relationships i have been in and I am currently still in the last one...both men were MARRIED (but divorced when i dated them) to White women!!! i have always felt love is love but i am finding myself irritated at the site of Black men with White women. But i don't know why...

            (I am finding myself irritated at the [sight] of Black men with White women. But I don’t know why…)

            Neither do I. And I think that bothers us all the most.

            In this age of uncertainties and ever increasing insecurities, we find solace in pointing out each other’s short comings. Misery loves company. We also want someone to blame for our struggles. Racism is dead but people are still broke and it must be someone’s fault. Now, the former victims of racism are getting into the blame game.

            Among Black people, it’s easier to blame White men/women for our already damaged gender roles. Among ALL Americans, it’s always someone else who has the money. And so, inter-racial dating becomes about money and politics as well.

             

Main thing I would say is unless your an ultra rich White person or an old White republican type that thinks they're rich being White is a wrap! Interacial dating is in all cultures!!! As we Black "African" descendants break up these stereo types all the women in the world are realizing that the Black Man is the shit!!!!! This has opened up interacial dating doors for races of all kind!!! Love and Marriage is very Hardwork!!! I applaud everyone giving an honest God-Love relationship no matter race creed or color!!! P.S. These pink toes wit Donks is Killin some of these sisters I ain't mad at brothas chasin them bubbles!!!!

            And of course, there are ‘The Bubbles”. The phenomena of White girls with ass is growing and creating more than a little confusion. I’m talking about REAL cheeks, not those Britney Spears implants. (Give it up Britney. We know.)

            Some A lot of stereotypes are being turned up on their heads. The Bubbles are just two things that have changed. Not only is “being White a wrap” but so is being anything else. Black English, Ebonics, talking White, AND the valley girl dialects are dying thanks to the internet and free long distance.

The bottom line is -   love is love. color shouldnt matter.

            The problem we have with inter-racial dating is that we (America) haven’t figured out what Love is. The thought that someone else has it figured out and that it doesn’t have anything to do with all or any of our preconceived notions is unsettling. We feel it when look at same race couples. Everyone hates PDAs that aren’t us. No one wants any couples in their faces with all that cute shit.

It’s just that we have no excuse for hating on the same race couples. In our blame game society, we can find a ton of reasons why inter-racial dating bothers us. Racism is dead (The Blog @ What I Learned…) but we will beat that dead horse and use the glue to keep on releasing ourselves from facing our own inadequacies.

Who we should consider are the couples who have looked beyond stereotypes and found Love. They inspire us to do something difficult and that’s change. And that change is made even more difficult because it’s our perspectives we have to change. Seeing someone happy shouldn’t bother us no matter what race the people are.

On the other side of the coin, there are those who choose to date outside their race to cover up for inadequacies. There are “color struck” people in all races. And they play the blame game like everyone else. They get tired of how someone in their family or culture treated them and turn their backs on their race.

In Las Vegas, I found myself in the company of quite a few White girls who had never dated White boys or even considered it. I noticed a correlation between these girls’ dating preferences and the absence of their fathers. Of course, having a lot of Black friends, I have had a few who mysteriously only dated the lightest skinned Black girls and eventually Latina and White girls. Both these White girls and my friends have in common is a motivation to disregard mates of the same race along with a refusal to discuss those same motivations.

We may never know the true motivations of these individuals. Anyone who is not honest about their motivations is not operating in Love. These people may be the minority when it comes to inter-racial couples. Because of that, we shouldn’t consider these people at all when it comes to dating. These people should not be dating within or without their race.

Although these may be the minority, these need our Love. If we are also lost and unfulfilled then we can’t help. We should start with ourselves. But if we know Love, we know to give Love. Perhaps we can help others to find Love. And if we know Love, we know nothing else, especially race, matters.

What I Learned In Church: New Years Day

 For the New Year I went back to my Catholic roots. The first stop was Holy Name on Arlington and Jefferson. We walked in a little late. It was no one’s fault (Gina). We walked in on the gospel. (My father says if you make the gospel and Communion, you went to church.)

The readings were from Numbers chapter 6, Psalms 67, Galatians chapter 4 and Luke chapter 2. Sometimes you have to turn a picture sideways to get all one-thousand words. We start with God’s promise to bless Israel. Then we practice praying for God’s mercy. THEN we look back on what God gave us in Jesus’ life. We were all unable to live under the law and Jesus presented the key to our salvation. He gave his life to teach us how to Love. AND THEN we go back to His birth. The shepherds, the wise men, the magi, the priests, the scribes, indeed the entire nation of Israel and the world was waiting on something to help them in their lives. So desperate were a few that they looked to and celebrated the questionable birth of Jesus to unwed parents.

How desperate are we to get out of our situations. Would we worship a child? Would we follow a man who threw his inheritance away to travel the world with a bunch of hippies? When we are lost, do we know where to turn? When all seems lost are we willing to follow the lead of a man who couldn’t/wouldn’t stop himself from being crucified?

Looking back on all of this now, we can see the power of God but, what about today? What about right now in our very own lives? Following Jesus’ example sometimes means utter and complete humiliation. Who is willing to give up their swag/pride for a minute/day/year for God’s promise?

When we walked in, the celebrant was going off on a tangent about black Jesus. Standing in front of a huge white Jesus on a cross, the celebrant explained that a black Jesus should be in the manger. “It is racially insensitive to not have a black baby Jesus in the manger” And this was a week after Christmas. It was my first visit to Holy Name so I don’t know when they put the Christmas decorations. I do know that it seemed a little late to be discussing Christmas decorations. I’m just saying

Focus

What a show! Who says Catholic Church is boring?  The celebrant (I don't know if he was a Deacon or a Priest) was colorful. After calling white Jesus racially insensitive, he proceeded to sing with the choir, walking around the sanctuary dancing. He reminded me so much of a wino (Gina said his name is Ned-The Wino) who just wandered in and started talking and singing and dancing. I'm waiting on him to fall down and start crying.

There was a Re-Commitment Ceremony too! Father Joe reminded us that the marriage bed is undefiled and only judgment awaits the unmarried (ahem…) [Hebrews 13:4]. The couple was in their fifties. They had been married for a while. It was wonderful to see the spark still there. They had a youth to them. Most of all there was Love. Thank God they chose to share it with us all in the church.

We ran over into the Spanish mass. Bless their hearts. They just came on in. Nothing can stop God's worship. 

All in all, the message is the same as it always was. God is Love. He Loves us so much, He sent His son to show us how to Love on His level. Jesus’ example was evident in the married couple that day. God promised us the greatest blessings. The greatest blessing is Love. It’s here now all around us. We just have to remember to look for it and most of all give it.

Daily Words For One Week

I am free and unlimited.

Freedom is more than a state of being; it is also astate of mind. When my mind is free, I am at peace. I am open to the wisdom of God, the wisdom that leads me to hoy and fulfillment.
As I open my mind and heart to God, I am free. In realizing me oneness with God, I release the chains of negative thought and limitation and adopt and inner knowing of love and freedom. The words of a favorite hymn remind me: I am free. I am unlimited. There are no chains that bind me. I am free. I am unlimited, right now! Right now, I feel peace and freedom. Right now, I let go of the past and move forward in my life. Right now, I begin anew with a free spirit and joyful heart.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
-Psalm 32:11



I work with others in harmony and peace.

I am a magnificent creation of God, blessed with physical, mental and emotional abilities that enable me to co-create wonderful moments in life. I live in a world filled with other people who are wondrous creations, and as I connect with them, my power to co-create multiplies.
In my workplace, community or household, the best results often come through shared efforts toward a common goal. I model the ability to listen to others and consider their ideas. When I work with others effectively, the world is a little more harmonious than it would be otherwise. I celebrate the willingness and ability of all people to work together in harmony and oneness.

You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God.
-Ephesians 2:19



I promote harmony by being at peace.

We are the peace of God in expression right where we are. As we join with one another in thought, prayer and action, we contribute to a sacred network of harmony, a powerful consciousness of peace that is growing person by person every day.
In every neighborhood, community, city, and country, we promote harmony, mutual understanding and cooperation as expressions of our spiritual nature, our true nature. We recognize and treat one another as sacred beings who are sharing in the abundance of our divine inheritance. Each thoughtful word and caring gesture is evidence of the love of God expressing through us to the world.

The dawn from on high will break upon us, …to guide our feet into the way of peace.
-Luke 1:78,79

What a week of reflection, reconnection and rebuilding! I started last month determined to focus on myself. The mantra was – I can’t help you if you I haven’t helped myself first. So I looked within and sought to build myself into someone who could help those around me. I distanced myself from everyone.
Having a clean slate, I can seek to add people to my circle. I am peaceful and strong in spirit so my persona attracts like individuals. I may have distanced myself from good friends who have similar positive outlooks. It feels really good to reconnect with them in a new harmony. I celebrate having God in common with my true friends and family.
And so we grow! Each of us has taken the time to reflect and become strengthened in spirit. Then we come together as a group of like-minded, strong individuals. This growth within ourselves is reflected in our group and harmony spreads to our friends and family to our neighborhoods to our communities to cities to our nations and throughout the world. And it all started with one person. Me. And became us!

Conspiracy Theories

Maisha Perkins set it off with this one.

Two things have been troubling me this week. One was The Tavis Smiley and Al Sharpton disagreement. The other was this Black Abortion/Genocide debate. In some kind of way, I think the two are connected.

Let me begin by saying these are two of the most ridiculous things I have heard in a long while. At least since niggers were scared to vote for Obama because they believed he would be assassinated.

I heard about the abortion thing first but I ignored it. So let me do the same now and talk about Al Sharpton. I don’t agree with Al Sharpton all the time. Obviously! His eulogy for the N word led me to call people niggers more than ever. I dig Tavis Smiley and I REALLY dig Cornell West. But I was actually reversed in this situation. We don’t need to be calling each other out for trivial issues like who called whom and who didn’t.

AND we need to get off Obama’s dick. (I know I’m vulgar but I’m that serious about it.) We got Tavis Smiley and Cornell West (Sorry Dr. West) accusing the Obama administration of being politicians. WTF! Is anyone in the government NOT a politician?
Didn’t he wild out enough? Let’s not forget the past two term presidents all save the MAJOR wilding out for the last term.

We’re so wishy washy, all this jaw jacking could lead to Obama only serving one term. The BEST politician Washington has seen in decades and WE could fuck it all up. SMH. Do we have to complain that much? Do we really NEED to complain this much?

And now, we’re letting conservatives stir us up into believing someone wants to kill our babies. SMH. (did I just shake my head two paragraphs in a row?)

Birth control is everything from abstinence to condoms to the pills to abortion. Conservatives don’t think so but we live in America. Church and State remain separate for a reason. Everyone should know how I feel about naked-dickin (if you don’t please read). I can’t pretend it doesn’t happen though. Like I be trying to tell Al Sharpton, just because you don’t say a word doesn’t mean niggers and naked-dickers don’t exist!

I’ve lived in three chocolate-cities. In all three, the rate of teenage pregnancy and STDs are ridiculously high. In all three, I have witnessed an over abundance of birth control. From cases (CASES) of rubbers in the projects in New Orleans (I didn’t even have to buy rubbers. I just went to the projects and picked up a case.) to barrels (BARRELS) of rubbers on the streets of Atlanta. And still naked-dickers choose to risk disease and pregnancy.

I remember begging (PLEADING with) a young man in New Orleans to wear a rubber to no avail. I also remember the same night a young woman insisting that I naked dick her. As beautiful as she was, all I saw was the promise she was throwing down the drain on momentary pleasure.

Before I get off too deep on Naked-Dickers let me just sum up. These are the cases we are dealing with. This is not genocide. (I beg people to watch – Idiocracy) If anything, capitalism would promote naked dicking. I would. As a business owner, I need cheap labor. Since slavery is over and Hispanics are starting their own businesses, niggers and naked-dickers seem the best candidates.

“You can’t afford this child you are about to have? Poor baby.” “Don’t worry! We’ll keep him for you in foster care. Then we’ll hold him in prison for a few years. And by the time he’s out and has given up his hip-hop dreams, I’ll hire him. He’ll be perfect! Prison will have him up early all time. And at 35, he’ll be broke down enough to take WHATEVER I choose to pay him.” Can we say Win-Win?

It’s all about options. Adoption isn’t really an option for Black children. It's simple supply and demand. Black children don't get adopted. There is a high demand for white children. As Dana (On Mai Perkin’s Page) said, if we increased the demand for Black children in adoption, then abortion wouldn't be the primary option for unplanned pregnancies.

I’m all about being positive and being a math major I know that sometimes the most positive thing is the least negative. In some cases, abortion is the least negative. Contrasted against a life of poverty, never having existed is a much better option. And, remember, we are talking about the point when prospective parents decide they can’t afford a child.

The conspiracy is simple. Capitalists should and probably would support naked-dickin. Pro-Lifers are crazy! They will do anything. They blow up buildings like terrorists. And now they want to use Black people.

Despite this alleged recession, America is in good shape. Black America is in great shape. (We’ve been recession proof since forever!) Let’s not be distracted by finger pointing and conspiracy theories. There are still some miserable people around. We all know misery loves company and depressed people spend money. (It’s always about the money) Let’s keep our focus. Our communities and our nation have a bright future.

Shame on anyone who says otherwise!

The Joys Of Niggardom

Quite often, when discussing niggers and niggardom, I have been overly critical. Let me try a different approach. Let's talk about the benefits of niggardom. When done correctly, a good nigger can lead an easy, responsibility free, and perhaps (in a very few cases) rich life!

Let’s look at just a few of the reasons why niggardom has spread across race lines and even nationality. (Believe me there are French niggers and Australian niggers and even Swiss niggers.) And if you don't believe me -

Jersey Shore Thursdays @ 10pm on MTV.

#1. You don’t have ANY responsibilities.

•  EVEN if you have kids, someone else is taking care of them! You and your kids live at your mom’s, grandma’s, aunt’s, or all the above’s house. You don’t pay bills because you are perpetually “getting on your feet”. [What the fuck does that mean?]

#2. Anything you do is overachieving.

•  You don’t do shit...
  That’s it.

#C. It’s not your fault. They were just hating.

•  The cops were just hating on you when they busted your meth lab. It had to be your beggin ass neighbors, complaining because you went up on the price. So what if the neighbor’s shed on the other side of you blew up mysteriously a few months ago. That ain’t no reason to be snooping around. Trailer parks blow up all the time!

#Last. You don’t have to be on time.

•  This probably derives from not having responsibilities. No one expects you to be anywhere. So why would you get there on time?

Oh yeah. I ain’t stopping. How many people thought this was actually going to be positive? Niggers beware. I’m going harder than ever!

You Might Be A Nigger

[WARNING: The following contains fequent use of the “n” word. And by the “n” word I mean nigger. And I don't mean that in a good way!]

There are certain conversations I refuse to take part in with Black People. I don’t discuss oppression in groups. I wouldn’t talk about Obama’s campaign with people unfamiliar with him before 2006. (Admit it now! Most of you didn’t think it would happen. And don’t let me even pay homage to the conspiracy theories out there.) Speaking of which, I don’t do conspiracy theories. (OhMyGod! The inane pothead logic I have been subjected to recently…[I will go to re-hab for you!]) And, just recently, no Tiger Woods, no Serena. I never really asked myself why I avoided these certain conversations.
Then I saw and read “The Secret”. THEN I asked myself why and the answer was clear. I just don’t want to hear the negative Bull Shit! Before “The Secret”, I would wonder how someone could have money but still be with that nigger shit. I would figure they had some secret to be able to support such negativity and still come out ahead. But that’s not how it works. After “The Secret” I could see the same successful people bringing negativity upon them selves in the exact manner in which they would ask the universe for it. They would talk about people stealing and MORE people would steal. They would ask for people to sue them and they would! Then let’s not start talking about losing money! These are Bill Gates/Oprah people I’m talking about. These are hood rich people, ghetto fabulous people, people who live in the same neighborhood as me. These people are very dynamic and have accomplished a lot. But just being around them I can tell they have to ability to accomplish SO much more.
If only they could move forward…

All of these people were just like so many other unsuccessful people. They achieved a little success but that was the only difference. They were trapped just like their workers. Trapped by their own niggardom. Always looking over their shoulder for “The Man” to shut them down. No awareness of the abundance life has to offer. Scared to leave the familiar confines of the hood. Not scared to travel. But scared to step outside of the mental enslavement of niggardom. So that means niggers have been to all six major continents but as the saying goes…”You can take the boy out the hood, …”. (I don’t even want to finish) They are trapped by their fear of growth or change or new things.
The hardest part of practicing the Law of Abundance is reacting to negativity. It could be bad news or it could be negative people. As I struggled to stay positive, I noticed that everyone does. Except niggers. Niggers don’t struggle. Because, as we all know, niggers don’t like to work. Niggers like to cry about whatever is happening and wonder why nothing is changing for them. It is easy for so many niggers to get trapped in the vicious cycle of self-pity and despair. And we can’t be too hard on the niggers. They have a good excuse!
Willie Lynch.
[Sidenote: I don’t believe the person or letter ever existed. The effects of slavery on the Black community are apparent. And Willie Lynch is a symbol of those effects.]
As we all know, all a nigger needs is an excuse! Doesn’t even have to be one like Willie Lynch. And Willie Lynch is the best one ever. Willie Lynch allows niggers all over the world to hang on to their negativity. After all, it’s not their fault. They’ve been institutionalized.
I know it sounds harsh but I have been having the time of my life lately and it just keeps getting better. It makes me want to do everything I can to erase the negativity so that I can focus on growing the positive. Plus, I have less than a month to tell 100 niggers to get off my dick and get out of my life!
So people, be careful!
Life is good!
The only hard part is defeating the negativity that tries to distract us from growing our abundance. So if you find yourself embracing negative thoughts and emotions. Ask yourself why. You may be suffering the lingering effects of niggardom. Hell, you may in fact still be a nigger!


[If you read my previous posts you know that I don't use nigger to refer exclusively to Black people. So others, you all be careful too! Niggardom knows no color!]

Black And Brown: Election 2008

This democratic primary is making me upset. First, Black women come under fire because some choose to vote for Hillary Clinton and not Barrack Obama. Today, minority voters are showing splits between hispanic and black voters because hispanic voters don't trust Obama to represent them once in office. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. The representation of this primary in the news has not benefited the Democratic Party. There is simply too much division! And the worst part is, the division is among under-represented groups. The saddest thing I ever see is broke people fighting over a nickel to give to the wealthy, so the wealthy can throw the poor more crumbs to fight over at their amusement. We are Bum Fights 2008. A few republicans are having a grand old time watching Black people, Brown people, and women weaken the major focus of this campaign. CHANGE (That is change for the better!)

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one upset by this division. This is not what our leaders died for. You know I'm so upset I can't wtite any more...

Am I missing something?


Have we ever been able to come together on anything? The Browns and the Blacks has/have always been divided and will probably always will. Many of us don't know who we are, many of us don't know the promises that were made, many of us don't care that we are a chose people, people chosen by God. But will we ever see those promises come to fruition? I wonder, because we've chosen to put our selves in the dunce seat. Step N Fetchit is alive and well once again. The Black and the Browns are still a source of amusements for the Others.

Not at all. It's sad to say, but this is the reality that we live in. We are a divided people. Everyone will (hopefully) think and analyze and decide for him/herself which candidate they believe will do a better job. I think a lot of what's going on has to do with Barrack's perceived inexperience and Hillary's perceived advantagous experience. But, then again, I guess this is what democracy is about. Our leaders fought for our right to vote. As great of a tragedy as it is to see disadvantaged people fight amongst themselves and to see the advantaged in our country benefit from it, I think it is a greater tragedy if the disadvantaged didn't disagree with each other at all. For if that were the case, they wouldn't be involved in the democratic process at all. So while it saddens me to see what is going on, I have to say that part of me is content with it because at least there are most people from this demographic involved in the political process now than I can remember at any recent time. Let's just hope that whomever the nominee is, that we can rally behind them and support them through the rest of their campaign.

WORD!
No I don't think you're missing anything and the analogy of the crumbs is a good one. I was just discussing the paradigms ,that are perpetuating this divide, with my coworker yesterday.

He was talking about how the socio-econimic paradigm we live within has created divides or categories even within poverty. He pointed out white poverty versus black poverty, male poverty versus female poverty, and rural poverty versus urban poverty. I couldn't disagree with his assertions.

But I did point out to him that the paradigm is not new. It has existed since before the advent of the U.S. as a country. It is not new it is long seated and deeply ingrained.

Yet, the fact that people like ourselves are having these conversations point to the hope of change....and I don't mean in the sense of some political movement.

I think there are more of us that will rally behind either democratic candidate despite the divisive speech and childish antics some of our peers are exhibiting.

I'd have to agree with Theo on this one. The participation within the democratic party has superceded that of previous years. People do want change and they are voicing their opinions by voting. I think if Barack Obama was not running, I 'may' rally behind Clinton, but personally, I feel he is the best candidate, despite his perceived inexperience (in comparison to Hillary's years of experience - including the 4 years she played the role as the wife of the President...). One of these democratic candidates will be the primary democratic candidate. When that happens, hopefully all - inclusive of men, women, blacks, hispanics, etc.. will rally together and elect a democratic candidate. This primary campaign has proved that people DO have the know how and capability of coming out to the polls and voting. So if we combine the support gathered by Obama and Clinton, a DEMOCRATIC candidate shall be elected! This country needs a democratic president, more than it has ever before (in our lifetime). Both Clinton and Obama's plan takes into account universal health care, ending the war on Iraq, and other pertinent issues, so this will benefit the masses. Last but not least, for your Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island friends - cast your vote if you haven't already. This is a vital time in history. I suggest you vote for Obama because he is NOT indebted to ANY lobbyist and he is in a position to evoke change that will be holistically benefit the American people. His grassroots movement has surpassed all prediction. If you are a Texan, voting isn't enough. We need you to be at your precints by 7pm tonight. Do the Texas 2 step by voting AND caucusing.

Barack the Vote!!

Strawberry Letter (Pimpology 101 Returns)

I was going to write about Super Tuesday, but I was listening to The Strawberry Letter on The Steve Harvey Morning Show and I HAD to say somethin!

Before I let yall read this letter, let me say this about Hillary Clinton:

SHE IS NOT BILL CLINTON!

1. She is not the type of politician Bill was. She will fuck us all. Check the records.
2. She doesn't like people or care to be liked. She is not racist. She just doesn't care for any group of people. Even women!
3. Perhaps the biggest difference. She don't get no ass like Bill does! (See I said "does". He still gettin it!)


Back to this letter. Read it, comments please, and I'll do another blog to detail my response.
Date: 02/06/2008
Subject: Am I a Good Man?

Good Morning - Steve, Shirley & Tommy. I want to first start off by saying that you guys are an inspiration and keep up the good work. I am currently in a relationship with a woman who has somehow stripped me of my dignity as a black man. She's a mexican-american woman. I am contemplating on leaving this woman and have been for sometime. I just don't know how. I cannot gather up enough courage to do so...A little background in our relatiionship. During the early stages in our relationship - she has talked so negative about the black race stating that black people are ignorant, lazy and ugly...That I was lucky that she even gave me a chance. Because of these sterotype she has about black people I stayed in the relationship to change that myth, however in the process I've been stripped of my dignity and self-respect. She has slapped and punched me; she has called me a stupid N with the "ER" at the end; she has caused me to drop out of graduate school; she had taking control of my entire pay check only providing me with a enough money to travel to and from work; she has taken limited communication with any of my friends and family; she demand back massages every night; I moved in with her, but I don't have a key to her apt., she states that I need to earn it by "behaving"; she altered my visting schedule w/my daughter from every weekend to every other weekend; she states that the only thing my daughter should get from me is child support and nothing above and beyond that; She gives me a daily allowance of $5 from a monthly check of over $4,000 net; She gets upset over the simpliest thing and we stay up arguing until its time to go to work the next morning; she will not allow me to go to bed, if she feeling upset or angry about anything; she refuses to discuss my issues; I told her that I wanted to strengthen my relationship w/daughter and she's against it because it may take time and resource away from us; she sometime makes me leave and sleep outside in the cold as a punishment for making her upset. The last time i made her upset was when I told her I was to work on the relationship with my daughter, especially since she starts highschool next year; she takes and hide my driver's license, passport & car keys and since, I don't have the keys to her house, I cannot simply go there when she's at work. There's not a day that I wish I was dead. Steve, Shirley & Tommy: I know this relationship is not healthy, but the problem is I am afraid of her; She always make me feel like I am the problem and I think its working - whenever, I gather up enough strength to leave, I fill guilty. I need some solid advice, please give me advice how to get myself out of them. Signed: Am I a Good Man?


Well what is there to say?? No he's not a good man....he's not even A man! I mean what kind of a real man with any pride and knowledge of self would let another woman treat him in such a way to prove a point?? What kind of a man allows another person to disrespect, degrade and destroy the very essence of who and what they are so that they can call themselves a good man? What kind of a man allows himself to be seperated from his own blood and allows someone else to control his destiny (finances, education, his comings and goings)??????
And I'm not gonna clown the brotha for saying that he's scared of this chick but I'm gon do it like Steve.....nowhere in this letter did he say that this woman is violent(ok she slapped and punched him) but as a grown @zz man if a slap or a punch from a woman incites that much fear......than droppin out of grad school was the best thing for him to do. That boy needs some karate lessons. or that she's threatened his child? So what are you scared of? He's not scared....HE'S WEAK!
When that chick started talkin reckless about your race and your culture that should've been his sign to break out the machete and cut that broad off! He's so weak....even in the very act of this letter while he calls himself reaching out for help its just weak. He dropped out of school because of himself not because of her, he cut his visits w/ his daughter because of him!
I can't take him!

I would love to hear what Steve had to say!

Man, I was gonna drop something about super tuesday too, but I'm slacking today. In any case, you're definitely right. Hiliary is NOT Bill!!! She's got a lot of drawbacks for me, primarily being that I think she'll just bring more party politics to Washington with her. She comes off as being very devisive person. What people want is CHANGE. How can there be change, if we keep electing politicians who conduct business in the same manner as the people who got us into the mess that we're in now? I think that's what has people rallying behind Obama. One of the commentators made a very insightful point last night on CNN. He said that Hiliary is running a strong campaign, but that it's difficult to combat a movement. Those words are strong (think about the civil rights movement...the Jim Crow south tried to stop it and eventually failed). Movements are stronger than anyone person. Movements unite people across all lines...race, gender, status...and bring them together to effect change. I think if people really take a hard look, being President shouldn't be all about experience (which is something that I give Hilary credit for), but it should also be about uniting people. And that's something that I think Obama is definitely more qualified to do.
In any case, what's up with this cat who wrote this letter??!!! I mean after reading that shit I was like WTF? I mean, he must have no self-esteem whatsoever to stay in a relationship like that one. Scratch that, to even get involved with someone with an opinion like the one she had is completely crazy. How are you going to justify a relationship by saying that you hope to change the opinion of a person about an entire race of people? It's insane. I've got two words for that guy, MAN UP! If he doesn't have any kids by this woman, he needs to be a MAN and kick her to the curb! He makes upwards of $4,000 a check, he can obviously support himself! It sounds more like she's living off of him that anything else. She talks about black people being lazy, but she's living off a brother, isn't that a little bit hypocritical? It's amazing to think that a person can have this type of effect on another. She's degrading him to the point where he feels ashamed to do what he knows he should. He definitely needs help, but I think first he needs to help himself and get out of that relationship....and I'm out!

I'm voting republican so I can care less about Hillary... as for the good man strawberry letter; I don't think its a good, bad, black, white or brown issues. We tell others "false whys" to support how long we chose to tolerate a problematic relationship in hopes that we'll someday believe it to be "true", but ultimately, it's simply that "a choice". That man made a choice to be with that woman and likewise can choose to leave her... but what's pimpish about?

How very Republican an answer to both items. The pimpin is on her end and he has all the symptoms of a typical hoe. But wait for my full response...


And thanks for sharing!

What the HELL?!

Yall Trippin: Nelly for President

This is to all the people who keep talking about how much money Oprah has. YALL TRIPPIN! She don't even have no bling. Have you seen how many chains Nelly has!?! CRAZY. What Oprah got? Books?!? Books don't shine! Shit! Even I got spinners! (On my keychain). And people keep saying she getting paid for producing. I ain't heard her name screamed on no records. And we play all the hot shit at Club Crunk. QUIT TRIPPIN! Forget Barack Obama. Its all about Nelly for president.












I'll bet multiple people all around the country have these dumb assed thoughts. When did we decide to support our insecurities. When did over compensation become confidence and waste spell success? We look up to some of the most insecure people on the planet and end up guided by their fears. The result being a radical multiplication of our own fears.





So maybe when we complain about Oprah not being in the "hood" all the time, maybe she is actually doing more for us by not misleading us than some others are who continue to mislead us everyday.






[This blog is almost 12 years old. Below are the comments from my MySpace readers.]




hilarious but sad cuz it's oh so true!


WOW..
im frightened



Keep keeping it real bro. Keep Keeping it real.



Oprah doesn't need to be "hood." And a lot of those rappers aren't all that "hood" either. Anytime they're trying to go to Hollywood and shit. It's the dumb followers who buy into that bs. How can LIL Wayne be gangster if he's working on everyone's cds. lol I met him in person and despite all the tattoos, he's an intelligent lil guy.

I would like to meet Oprah one day because she understands the concept of do what u can, when u can. How much money does a person need to live off on? Think Bill Gates.



I appreciate this blog and the recognition of this thought and breakdown.

Willie Lynch [Update]

[This is the Shit Starter! I tried it on MySpace. Let me give it one more whirl before the rewrite for the book. This is a topic I WILL NOT let go. This is the essence. This is the root of niggardom. If we are to get anywhere in this country, we must get past this. So I will keep poking (in the EYE!) until someone speaks out.]

Posted Date: : Feb 13, 2006 1:53 AM

There's this letter that I have seen over and over circulating through intellectual circles. Most recently it was posted on a friends blog. I have to take this opportunity to further enlighten.

First here is the letter:

This speech was delivered by [b]Willie Lynch on the bank of the James River in the colony of Virginia in 1712. Lynch was a British slave owner in the West Indies. He was invited to the colony of Virginia in 1712 to teach his methods to slave owners there. The term "lynching" is derived
from his last name.

"Gentlemen. I greet you here on the bank of the James River in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twelve. First, I shall thank you, the gentlemen of the Colony of Virginia, for bringing me here. I am here to help you solve some of your problems with slaves. Your invitation reached me on my modest plantation in the West Indies, where I have experimented with some of the newest and still the oldest methods for control of slaves. Ancient Rome's would envy us if my program is implemented. As our boat sailed south on the James River, named for our illustrious King, whose version of the Bible we Cherish, I saw enough to know that your problem is not unique. While Rome used cords of wood as crosses for standing human bodies along its highways in great numbers, you are here using the tree and the rope on occasions. I caught the whiff of a dead slave hanging from a tree, a couple miles back. You are not only losing valuable stock by hangings, you are having uprisings, slaves are running away, your crops are sometimes left in the fields too long for maximum profit, You suffer occasional fires, your animals are killed. Gentlemen, you know what your problems are; I do not need to elaborate. I am not here to enumerate your problems, I am here to introduce you to a method of solving them. In my bag here, I HAVE A FULL PROOF METHOD FOR CONTROLLING YOUR BLACK SLAVES. I guarantee every one of you that if installed correctly IT WILL CONTROL THE SLAVES FOR AT LEAST 300 HUNDREDS YEARS. My method is simple. Any member of your family or your overseer can use it. I HAVE OUTLINED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENCES AMONG THE SLAVES; AND I TAKE THESE DIFFERENCES AND MAKE THEM BIGGER. I USE FEAR, DISTRUST AND ENVY FOR CONTROL PURPOSES. These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies and it will work throughout the South. Take this simple little list of differences and think about them. On top of my list is "AGE" but it's there only because it starts with an "A." The second is "COLOR" or shade, there is INTELLIGENCE, SIZE, SEX, SIZES OF PLANTATIONS, STATUS on plantations, t-- of owners, whether the slaves live in the valley, on a hill, East, West, North, South, have fine hair, course hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of differences, I shall give you a outline of action, but before that, I shall a-- you that DISTRUST IS STRONGER THAN TRUST AND ENVY STRONGER THAN ADULATION, RESPECT OR ADMIRATION. The Black slaves after receiving this indoctrination shall carry on and will become self refueling and self generating for HUNDREDS of years, maybe THOUSANDS. Don't forget you must pitch the OLD black Male vs. the YOUNG black Male, and the YOUNG black Male against the OLD black male. You must use the DARK skin slaves vs. the LIGHT skin slaves, and the LIGHT skin slaves vs. the DARK skin slaves. You must use the FEMALE vs. the MALE. And the MALE vs. the FEMALE. You must also have you white servants and over- seers distrust all Blacks. But it is NECESSARY THAT YOUR SLAVES TRUST AND DEPEND ON US. THEY MUST LOVE, RESPECT AND TRUST ONLY US. Gentlemen, these kits are your keys to control. Use them. Have your wives and children use them, never miss an opportunity. IF USED INTENSELY FOR ONE YEAR, THE SLAVES THEMSELVES WILL REMAIN PERPETUALLY DISTRUSTFUL. Thank you gentlemen."


Now here are the facts. Willie Lynch never existed. The letter is fake. The sentiment is real. Slave owners did discuss tactics of controlling slaves with each other much like business owners discuss management techniques today. The system of slavery is over. Black people are still disjointed. Poor people are still disjointed. The techniques discuss in this fictitious letter are still used in business today. It drives not racism but a much larger more important system. In fact racism is, if anything, derivative of this system. The system is capitalism.

Capitalism is what drives this country. It drives the world economy. In order for it to continue. Certain techniques have to be employed. These are the same techniques that were employed during slavery both in America and around the world. In order for there to be a ruling class in this land of opportunity there has to be working class. A lesser class. No one grows up wanting to be a janitor or a servant or anything menial. No one also grows up with their sole goal in life being to make another man wealthy. But that is what happens. And no one ever asks why.

Why are music stars unconcerned about being robbed and making less money than a label owner when they are the talent, they create the music? Why do we get mad at athletes for wanting more money when a talent less old man is making more just for owning a group of athletes. Or better yet why isn't education mandatory for athletes? Who would really want an athlete to really know what's going on with ALL the money that is made in the sports industry? Why is the emphasis on fake weapons and so called terrorists? Why was the richest oil country on the top of the "terrorist" list when it was one of the countries least friendly to terrorists?

The bottom line is that these are all distractions. The techniques described in the Willie Lynch letter are still in affect today with Black, White, and every other type of poor person today not because of racism but because of capitalism. If we are all running around chasing our tails, then the wealthy will just strap us into the system and let out running spin the wheels of the economy. In the end we may get rich but the wealthy will always get more. I know what I intend to do about it. But its really up to yall and what yall want to do. But knowledge is power, so there you go.

Be good babies!

[Update] I really, really need feedback. I know this is a volatile issue. I know people say don't discuss religion, politics, or (something else-I don't listen to BS as much as I should). But guess what...THOSE people DO discuss religion and politics. And we don't because we feel a certain way. And THOSE people who do talk keep the upper hand while we are afraid to discuss something we feel so strongly about...SMH...

We're running out of time. We better get with it!

Al Sharpton

The situation with the Boondocks and Al Sharpton is exactly why we, as a community, no longer need iconoclastic leaders. Anyone knowledgeable and proactive enough to be concerned with his or her community knows what to do. Our previous leadership has shown the way. Current "leaders," including Al Sharpton, call for us as individuals to take a more proactive role in deciding the direction we want to take in our communities. Simply put, we know what to do. We just have to do it.

In the case of the Boondocks, you either like or you don't. After protesting for years to get more black representation on TV, now some choose to complain about the shows, movies, music or whatever we have now.
We have plenty of choices now. We can choose to support almost any type of entertainment we want. We have plenty of radios stations, the Cosby shows are in syndication as well as Martin and New York Undercover, and we have plenty of movies to watch. So watch what you want.
I can even go back to my community meeting last week. Apparently, we have unrestricted access to the local government. We can guide this community in any direction we choose. And we really don't need to beg politicians to do it for us. And this is the case in almost every community around the country.
So lets not follow anymore. Lets lead ourselves, our families, our communities. You know you can do it. DO IT! Do it! You know how to do it. Just remember, what would Jesus do, what would Martin/Malcolm do.

What women want

I thought I might explain some things because I have been encountering some strange women. Not strange in the weird, space ship, mystery kind of way. But strange in the out of the ordinary, I’m not used to these type of women way. This phenomenon is notable only because it may or may not be affecting the way I date. How do I begin? Let me just say it as straight as possible. I think I am having a hard time getting to it because this is really a perplexing situation. There are lines which I don’t want to cross. I have been opening myself up to people I barely know and this is all new to me. So I guess I just have to bite the bullet and go for it. What have I got to lose? I keep meeting women who continually misrepresent themselves. 
That would be fine by itself except for the wild ways in which they misrepresent themselves and their response to my reaction or lack thereof to their behavior. In the end I am put out, because I lose the woman and don’t get anything out of it. Now I’m thinking I should explain how I approach dating. 
There are two types of datable women. There are keepers and there are one night stand types. The keepers are quite simply girlfriend material. They are the ones you actually take out in public on dates and what not. The one night types are just for getting fucked out. They may get down right away or later on down the line but getting freaked out is all they are about. 
So the problem I am having lately is the blurring of the lines between these two types of women. I am frequently encountering women who are the one night types but they come across as the keepers. Then there is internal conflict because I actually grow to like these women as women. Explanation time again. I am trying not to get into specifics but in most cases the issue is derived from women actually claiming they are keepers. This means I tend to make an actual effort to get to know the women. It also means I become a little more patient when it comes to sex. You see with keepers you want to build something. So that is what I focus on more than the sex. So, after some major chit chatting, phone calls, dates, quality time or some combination of the four, my mind is all over the place. I am completely unfocused on what I should be focused on. I still think of sex but I think of it in a different way. I think of the morning after and the next step. But in actuality, with these women there is no next step. This causes me to be less assertive. Less physical. I know how to be a man when I need to be and when to be mannish. Just ask my friends. I am always the one telling them they need to be more assertive. There are just a few lines I don’t cross. In fact I stay at least 50 feet away from those lines. Two things I never want to be are a stalker and a date rapist. 

So, I talk a lot of shit but in those real intimate situations I am a little more cautious. Obviously, that often conflicts with my role as a man and leader in a relationship especially during the intimate times. Women need a man to be the initiator (to steal a friend’s word on the same subject). I always am but I respond to women’s cues. If there is no cue, I don’t act. If there is a mixed signal, I don’t act. If things are unclear, I don’t act. All of this is to say I avoid date rape situations. I don't push for sex unless I see an opening. If I'm alone with a woman and she has her arms crossed, legs crossed but internally is hoping I make a move, I never will. If I make a move and get rebuffed, I won't make another. Years ago, no meant no. Today, yes means yes. Sexually, there's nothing happening without an explicit invitation. I am a straight forward guy. I know how to ask for what I want. 
I am also a gentleman. I don’t get into details because of that. I save all advances for intimate moments. I never want to misrepresent the lady I am dating at the moment. I understand women not wanting to be misrepresented or disrespected. In today’s society, women have the opportunity to control their dating scene to the most intimate detail. But their reputation is still at risk. Also, I don’t believe most men know exactly HOW to be gentlemen. Men try but etiquette is lost on recent generations.

As a result, it is more important for women to be careful of their reputation. But then there is a problem with a few ladies. These ladies don’t know how to be casual and still save their reputation. So they sell this dream of chastity and deep relationships when all they really want is to hook up from time to time. I see this as lying about who you are. That in itself is bad. In order for one of these women and I to relate I need to not only buy their dream but pretend I didn’t on two levels. Intimately I have to pretend to the girl that I am there with her on this magical dream of casual dating and chastity together. (Read: an open AND exclusive relationship) Then I have to pretend that I am not buying the dream she is selling. (I have to agree to be celibate but still try to fuck) But then I have to buy the dream this woman is selling in fact. And that is the third lie. (And they say men lie) Like I said, the only reason this is important is because lately I have caught myself buying some of these dreams. Not to mention the increasing numbers of these types of women. 
I hope I was clear on my dilemma. I probably ran out of space and wrote too much. WOMEN I need help. What the hell is going on? How do I stop myself from falling folly to these fake women? How do I avoid becoming fake myself?




Following are comments from the original MySpace Post:

I don't know if it's that these women are fake and I'm not so sure you should group it together under the description of these women being such.  Maybe some of them want the booty and want someone to settle with and be long-term with, but don't necessarily have to be involved with that particular long-term person to have sex with them, and possibly maybe they have just not found that - long-term quality in you so they keep it moving.  Granted some of them may be fake, but I think what you have to do is not look to overcoming falling for these types, but do as you are.  Take each one individually.  Regardless how respectful you are, how careful you are with each one, you are dating.  You will not no who's who and will not be able to rely on signs because each one, though lots of them may have similarities, are different.  Despite the details that you have pointed out, you're still dating and dating is nothing more than a game where you have to find the right one.  Get to know each of them and weed out the good one(s).  That's just my perspective.  I'm at work and don't have time to look over this and make sure I'm typing the ideas I'd like to reflect, so hopefully I've done so successfully.  Good luck in trying to make sorts of it all.  Love.

I'm sure you are right. As I was reading your response I came to realize that my problem is not the "fake thing" but the whole game. Why can't we all just be straight shooters for real, for real?

...because we run the risk of accidents and scars....

But by now isn't it obvious that those scars and accidents are unavoidable?

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! Doggone, doggone, u write alot and have to say alot! I never knew these things from a POV. Doggone, doggone, it's really iinteresting that a man like u can right so f..doggone, doggone, pasi..sionately.