I love the ‘Afro-American‘ cultures and subcultures that I grew up in and those I grew to take part in, and enjoy gainin’ and sharin’ knowledge about them. It helps me better self-develop and help combat the negative imagery instilled by detrimental systems of education and media in this land (the USA). Knowledge of Self, and the pursuit of it, is priceless.
I wrote in a recent blog post : “Having been lead further and further into rabbit holes of knowledge warped or downright omitted from popular education, media, and thought–people of my look and lineage being the main missing elements in studies put forth to me by many a (also mislead) teacher–I could only come to ask myself ‘Who am I?'”
A friend of mine recently stated that “culture is to one’s Self as perception is to sight”. And, I believe that what one sees effects how one thinks and, thus, how one behaves.
That said, I yearn see much more of this world, learn more about places where my blood and culture lines have root, especially the African continent.
I see travel as somewhat of a ‘rite of passage‘, and integral to becoming a better community servant and ambassador for my cultures. I believe that to complete a transition from one state of mind, outlook, and lifestyle into another more expansive plane of thought and action, we must have our bodies go as far as our minds have been fortunate enough to wander. We must travel, sparking genuine relationships, gaining knowledge, and proceed to act based in wisdom earned from the experience.
I have never left the United States.
I want to start by going to the nation of Ghana in West Africa.
I seek to immerse myself in the lifestyles and locales of in the land of my overseas ‘cousins‘, sharin’ and learnin’ art forms, language, and traditions, and return better developed in mind, body, and soul, to better impact my associates, the youth, our city, race, and nation.
This online campaign will assist with costs for trip preparation, travel to/in/back from Ghana, and some of the day-to-day living expenses for a trip of about a month’s time. The funds will also help me resource young Ghanaian creative peers by attending their events, buying their music and crafts, and, perhaps, even helping to produce events and inter-cultural programs there, during my stay (my specialty).
I aim to document the preparation process, my travels to Ghana, my interactions and experiences there, the cultures and figures there, Ghanaian opinions and takes on American culture, various stories and histories of Ghanaian national liberation and racial & class views, my travels back, and my relative experiences once returned.
I aim to depart in late Summer or early Fall 2015.
“The first step to self-betterment is admitting when you have problems“, they say.
My birthday is coming up. Here I stand on the precipice of my 27th year of life, mind full’a thoughts.
Like anyone else, anywhere else, I’m a perfectly imperfect person with the power to observe, learn, test, adapt, and evolve. In the quest to both create and identify who I am, I have done well by many, done wrong, in desperate times, by few, and have been the recipient of the effects of situations beautiful and ugly. And, I have been blessed, have much atoned for, and have learned from all of my experiences.
And, I am still learning. The school of life lessons only closes to coincide with the last shutting of our eyes. Before that day comes for me, I have chosen to dig as close to the truth of the before, here, and after, as I can. And, as an African in the Americas, I have quite the dig to dig, ya digg?
Over the centuries, the system created a version of reality that I was to be born into; a reality barren of my lineage’s olden languages, sciences, spiritual systems, histories, certain traditions, rites of passage, and some healthy alternative (to American) inter-personal norms. I am blessedly fortunate to have a loving family, many a wise mentor, and have had a childhood where wonder, curiosity, sharing, and individuality were rewarded… and, to have incidentally come to geek out so hardcore in my young life on historical study and cultural observation.
“I wonder…”
Having been lead further and further into rabbit holes of knowledge warped or downright omitted from popular education, media, and thought–people of my look and lineage being the main missing elements in studies put forth to me by many a (also mislead) teacher–I could only come to ask myself “Who am I?”. If this European name on my birth certificate is not mine of my people’s volition; if this primary language that speak and write in is not of the native tongues of my predominant ancestors; if the social structure of the impoverished neighborhoods that I was raised in are far removed from the traditions of my predecessors, then, I began to ask…
“Who. Am. I?”
Who a person or people is/are can be interpreted far beyond a name, a trade, personal gifts, look, or personal impact. It can (must) be consciously rooted in one’s cultural and ancestral past. We, the Africans in America–no– we, the Africans worldwide have been all but stripped of those direct ties, and been conditioned into resentment of self and kinfolk. This is a fine way to “hold a broth down”. And, a sista, too. And, a father, and a mother, and a million other member of our families. The ‘system’ is alive and well, and in the hands of the grandchildren of those who designed it and set it into action.
A ‘cracker’ is a person of western European descent who expresses their belief that they are naturally superior to other groups by ideological support of or direct participation in race-based oppression, especially against Black American peoples.
But, …fuck all that noise.
The Black American uprising is going on. Partly due to a surge in young adult (‘millennial‘) interest and information trade in olden and modern African and Afro-American culture, history, science spirituality, symbology, and biology. We can hear it in some of the world’s most popular music.
The free mind is truly the mind that knows that freedom is the zest, ability, and action taken to question and to conclude, to self-identify and to opine without externally imposed norms and conditioning blocking clear consideration and deliberation. A free mind is a mind that dares to admit its state under oppression and turn a dignified back on the root and effects of the oppression; never forgetting, and proceed progressively with ever-increasing velocity approaching… nothing to define… for the direction itself is liberty. This reminds me of an old motivational quote from a poster I had as a child: “Success is not the destination but the journey.”
“What a beautiful… FUCK! I LOCKED MY KEYS IN THE CAR!!!”
Yes, freedom is a way of life, not a concrete state of being defined by universal rules proclaimed by self-appointed authority, …methinks. And, freedom and is perpetuated starts with a dare; a risk that is the reward in itself. The freeing of the mind is not on some bipartisan ‘on or off‘ paradigm. No. It’s on a plane of degrees. It is conditional to situation and individual; to group, culture, and need. And, I am still not free (or, yet freeing myself) in some ways. But, this is OK, for I know that, as they say, “a rising tide lifts all boats”. I am deeply grateful to be freed-of-mind enough to know that the puzzle of “Who Am I?” is a surely a puzzle, and, so, by nature, something solving, just to realize more puzzles beneath it, and rejoice in the process of refinement itself.
*hysterical screams of utter madness… and oddly: bliss”
I hear the calls of the ancestors, be that metaphysical or metaphorical; be there spirits afoot beckoning or a moral duty caused by lasting effects from past disruptions. I don’t subscribe to much absolutism, so I know (and accept) that I will fuck up more, be tested, yes totters, make mistakes, but also grow, learn, excel, and pay much forward. And, I dare to know more about the past, present, and potential of my peoples, beyond the slim scope presented in this land’s public schools, media, social norms, and hearsay.
I will overcome, for my awareness to do so is the success. I am familiarizing with who and what I am; what we are more and more every day. All that stands in the way of my self-betterment will be ground into dust to feed the soil for my posterity; my future kid’s children’s babies. I get to die headed in the right direction, at the least. And, no-one can ever take that from me again. To try is a declaration of war. I’m not alone. Watch the news (with your intuition). 😉
We. Out. Here.
Anthem
For the outcast out-caste.
We were never Insiders.
Conscientious objectors
Strapped to missiles
Of self-consciousness
Aimed at our everything;
Based in our own zone.
All-but-averages attached
To the arrogance
That we are alone.
An army of “almosts”
Aching for deviation
From the standard;
Starving for an era
Where our species
Of self-esteem is
Dope via Darwinism.
Dawn, it does.
“Tick-tock”?
I know what time it is.
I’m a 26 year old male human Earthling. Tick.
Phenotype predominantly Africoid.
Genotype predominantly bent on melanation.
Born of a shushed and shunned society of globally indigenous peoples. Tock.
Born in the municipality of the City of Philadelphia.
Born in the commonwealth of the state Pennsylvania.
Born in the union of entities titled the United States. Tick. Tacitly categorized and indoctrinated under the US Department of the Treasury’s Census Bureau in the class-caste designated ‘Black/African-American‘.
Raised in a culture as indirectly strong-rooted in its ethnic traditions as it is conditioned to hate itself for being of lush lineages leaned (or learned) to be left behind. Tock.
Raised to read, question, observe, and share.
Aware of the falsities of borders, wars, and inter-religious turmoil.
Living to learn, interpret, and teach. Tick.
I anything but hate myself.
I am anything but asleep. Tock.
I’m a 26 year old male human Earthling.
I know what time it is.
Tick…
Tick… Tick.
“Racism and classism are the same!”
“Racism is a scapegoat for classism!
“Racism doesn’t exist! We’re all under the thumb of classism!”
–
Quite that noise up…
–
RACISM (rac·ism) [ˈrāˌsizəm] (noun) – prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.
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CLASSISM (class·ism) [ˈklasˌizəm] (noun) – prejudice against or in favor of people belonging to a particular social class.
–
Those are the commonly understood and perpetuated meanings behind two terms in popular circulation today. Dictionary shit, not human experience; application and reception shit. And, these words commonly attached subject matter and common contexts of usage make ‘hot button’ topics seem frostier (pun alert!) than O’Shea Jackson‘s stage name.
–
These popular definitions are flawed.
–
They are far too vague, lacking wording to convey the necessary ‘action state’ of their application–and roots. This is especially important because these words would likely not exist without specific past and present social, legal, and institutional activities and establishments of vile and purposeful nature and intent to help mankind concoct the words. How we popularly define these words lets institution-whoring elites off the hook. Or, rather, places those with personal/cultural biases (like racial hatred) on the same hook. Two bads don’t make a set of twins… or a body with two minds.
–
Dog “I can’t stand mice. They steal, creep around, and all that dark fur…” – Cat: “I can’t stand ANY animal that’s poor. Work harder, bums!”
Classism–specifically of the socio-economic sort–is the state of being when a group is discriminated against for both not having the money or wealth, and for lacking membership in a certain socially conditioned elite caste that controls and/or reaps the privileges of the institutions that govern our day-to-day lives, livelihoods, and development of our minds, children, and posterity. Due to practiced (not just on-paper) socio-economic classism, one cannot simply get richer to be truly socially and institutionally accepted into an upper class. One must be born into it, or get richer and superficially ‘join’, or press for one’s posterity to join in the future, by orchestrating a lineage richness and institutional manipulation. Economic manipulation; the gamble is the name of the game in the ol’ USA and Western world.
Now, racism–specifically of the socio-institutional sort– is the state of being where the elite of one institutionally (here: governmental) designated ethnic group (race) controls the institutions that govern our day-to-day lives, livelihoods, and development of our minds, children, and posterity, and, thus, socially condition the norm mindset of the populace-at-large to be that the controlling group is racially superior.. Such traits of the supposed superior ethnicity as its history, language, culture, phenotype, color, complexion, hair type, eye color, religion, politics, heroes, and philosophy are held as superior socially. This enslaves the sensibilities of all people raised (conditioned) under the given institutions, including those taught their alleged superiority and those subjugated as inferiors.
Institutionalized self-hatred: “Hail humans!!! …wait… I’m a fuckin’ duck, though…”
A ‘come-up’ (gain) in material wealth, finances, property, education, or other institutional resource, for a supposed inferior or inferior group, does not automatically (or rarely ever) equalize things, given the social state of racism–the cause of, but not synonymous to prejudice, bias, preference, bigotry, or hatred. So, even when one has money or wealth equal to or surpassing members of the certain societal league that controls and/or reaps the privileges of institutions that its elites control, one is still considered an inferior, by birth and breed.
…well, fuck you, too…
Racism is based on a certain classification of human beings by ethnicity. And, in present and past state classism, supposed inferior ethnicities find themselves lower in the class system than others. But, classism and racism are not the same. Classism and racism are not synonymous. Racism is not a universal scapegoat for classism. These are perpetuated talking points and escapist arguments to be wary of, and to be prepared to battle and put out of commission. Classism and racism are related and are akin. What fights one well does not always apply to the other. They must both be addressed as and for what they are. But, they must first both be understood.
Know the difference. Then, act like you know. This is your time to shine.
BLACK LIVES MATTERING is an opportunity for a diverse range of driven millennials to mix, mingle, build, and enjoy the talents of young adult Black performers.
These affairs will be held in creative spaces owned, run, and/or notably beneficial to Black community, arts, and/or business development. And, key purposes include raising awareness, funding, and other support for programs and resources that benefit Black youth and young adult creative and social development.
This event series begins on Saturday April 18th, 2015, in the form of a combination mixer and live show/party held at a gorgeous Black-owned space at 5600 Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia, PA from 9pm until 12am.
Iron-M.I.C. (eMcee In Control) is a profound, freestyle artist, contributing writer of pop, rock, soul, dub step, chill, and club songs. Iron has been involved in a multitude of production deals, writer for hire proposals, collaborations with artists, and networking with venues of all different genres of music everywhere.
Isis Tha Saviour is a Lyricist, screen play writer, poet & activist who exploded on Philadelphia’s music scene with her critically acclaimed single “Street Chronicles”. Since her musical debut she has been nominated for both lyricist & female freshman of the year honors at Philly’s 2011 Hip-Hop Music awards!
A man of minimal words and maximum action, Pili is not only a talented hip-hop artist but a community servant. He is co-founder of political party HipHop Party for the People, urban farm North Philly Peace Park, co-host of Brother Tommy and Friends on JAWN FM, and co-coordinator of Peace House Creative Space.
Jeide Prince and Chevv Kaang make up No Headliner. They dedicate themselves to not only the craft of and the integrity of hip-hop, but to those whom also find themselves confronted with selecting originality over conformity.
“I’m an advocate for strong woman
I’m a vessel for my generation to speak through
I take responsibility for the actions of those before me.
I believe in the Law of Divine Oneness
Lives can be saved through writing and speaking,
That’s exactly what I plan to do.
Brace yourself,
I’m the type of woman that happens once every eon.“
Jex Xionas is a hybrid of new school swagger with an old school base. He brings the elements of lyrical content and amazing production to form a work of art on every track. Since the age of 15 he has been rhyming and producing tracks, constantly trying to perfect his craft.
“Jersey born, Cali raised, currently studying and traveling. Figuring stuff out as I go along. One of the best gifts we can give one another is a good laugh. Even if someone is having the worst day of their life, if you make them genuinely laugh then…for that moment at least…their life is not nearly as bad. You can ease their burden. I just wanna laugh more than I cry.”
“ONE OF THE REALEST OUT HERE ON THE MIC. MUSIC IS MY OUTLET & WHEN PEOPLE HEAR ME THEY DEFINITELY ROCKIN & FEELIN WHERE IM COMING FROM..RESPECT MY GRIND HANNN …roll wit me or get rolled over”
A quiet enigma and self-professed professional troll, TuxedoMask is a mix-master of musical sounds and a skilled graphic artist. He has rocked many a party and set of headphones with his electrifying, genre-defying selections and mixes.
Known as the couture cake designer, creative chef Karl Isaiah grew up up in a family of bakers. He soon developed his own passion for making pastries and cakes. Amongst other accolades, Karl was featured on Food Network.
A young, Black, Philadelphian millennial thinker; writer, poet, blogger, stage host, event planner, and new media consultant. S.Frosty lives to connect the driven, marginalized, skilled, and talented.
Cognitive dissonance. Willful ignorance.
As “blissful” as a secretly abusive married couple in public.
When the roadblocks, armed militias, surveillance drones, and ‘refugee’ (internment) camps come to a town near you, be at least aware.
It is never too late to get educated; to get organized; to rebel. Your family is not safer merely keeping their heads low and complying. The ‘butchers’ like their ‘cattle’ calm at the ‘slaughterhouse’. They spend decades conditioning ‘sheep’ to simply mill around and follow.
In this age, to be raised in darker skin and in or influenced by urban Black culture… is to live a dichotomy…
nigger? nigga… <- this? nigga? nigger <- scratch. nigger sticks & nigger heaven. ‘nigger’ -> nega -> whack. “but, niggers don’t exist”.
“wait,…
i thought ‘nigga’ meant ‘black’.”
“who’s a nigga?
you a nigga?!”
context, context,
nigga… fall back…
jig/coon/nigger -> rage. bro/fam/nigga/♥. See… am i not ‘down for my niggas’, or ‘dat nigga!’, …to agree?
i feel that: negus -> negro -> nigger does that make the bigger nigger …me? ‘nigger’ turned to ‘nigga’. cool-culture usage dampened degree. but, i’ll still feel ill when ‘they’ KKKome like, “ey, boy! …where the rest’a them niggers be?!’
Then, to advocate for the betterment of Black life, Black American cultural norms must be respected. And, and not always participated in. Many of us Blacks endearingly and condemn’ingly use the word ‘nigga’.
And, a base (not universal) Black cultural code is that ‘non-Blacks’ should not casually use ‘nigga’, upon penalty of aggressive reaction. Within Black culture, we face disagreement on the meaning, uses, evolution, or acceptability of the word ‘nigga’.
The content of the recently released (and much-anticipated) album ‘To Pimp A Butterfly‘ by Black American writer/rapper Kendrick Lamar compelled me, lately, to turn my focus to the words ‘nigga‘ and ‘nigger‘. Both were use liberally throughout the album in ways analytical, definitive, aggressive, passive, reflective, and endearing.
At the end of the track “i’, Lamar includes the following statements in an a’cappella rhyme, addressing a crowd of fans:
I promised Dave I’d never use the phrase “fuck nigga” He said “think about what you saying: ‘Fuck niggas'” No better than Samuel on D’Jango No better than a white man with slave boats Sound like I needed some soul searching My pops gave me some game in real person Retrace my steps on what they never taught me Did my home work fast before government caught me So I’ma dedicate this one verse to Oprah On how the infamous, sensitive N-word control us So many artist gave her an explanation to hold us Well this is my explanation straight from Ethiopia N-E-G-U-S definition: royalty King royalty – wait listen N-E-G-U-S description: Black emperor, King, ruler, now let me finish The history books overlooked the word and hide it America tried to make it to a house divided The homies don’t recognize we be using it wrong So I’ma break it down and put my game in the song N-E-G-U-S, say it with me Or say no more. Black stars can come and get me Take it from Oprah Winfrey Tell her she right on time Kendrick Lamar, by far, realest Negus alive
I regularly discuss (and *cough*argue*cough*) with friends and strangers about the meanings, usages, contexts, and evolution of the words ‘nigga’ and ‘nigger’. Sometimes, the topic of discussion is whether the words are even now separate or if ‘nigga’ is still merely a pronounced/written augmentation of ‘nigger’. I am of the school of thought that ‘nigga‘, by its very usage norms among the large and globally influential Black and Hip-Hop cultures, has gained it’s own independent, dialectical identity.
i decided to study up on some known and assumed roots of the words:
NAGA (ˈnäɡə)
In olden Afro-Asiatic and Indian mythology, a ‘naga’ was a member of an ancient, semi-divine race, part human and part cobra in form, associated with water, healing, medicine, and sometimes with mystical initiation.
Kundalini Care…
NEGUS (ˈnēɡəs)
Ethiopian Amharic for ‘king’; a ruler, or the supreme ruler. For example, according to Islamic tradition, in a letter from Muhammad to ‘Negus‘ (king of Axum / olde Ethiopia), Muhammad invites Negus and his men to follow his message.
NEGASI (negāsi)
Denotes an Emperor or King, as the Bahri Negasi of the Medri Bahri Kingdom in pre-1890 Eritrea and the Negus in pre-1974 Ethiopia. The title has subsequently been used to translate the word “King” in Biblical and other literature. Negasi as a boy’s name is of Amharic origin, and the meaning of Negasi is “he will become a king”
Haile Selassie I, born Tafari Makonnen Woldemikael, was Ethiopia’s regent from 1916 to 1930 and Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He was a member of the Solomonic dynasty.
NEGER/neeger (ˈnēɡər)
Dated, dialectical British English for ‘black person’. From Middle French ‘negre’, which is from Spanish or Portuguese ‘negro’ (black). Became ‘Negro’.
NEGRO (ˈnēɡrō)
A member of a dark-skinned group of peoples originally native to Africa south of the Sahara; relating to black people. From the mid 16th century: via Spanish and Portuguese from Latin niger, nigr- ‘black”. Used in the Americas and other westernized nations as a legal/class term for peoples of African descent.
NIGGER (ˈniɡər)
Also pronounced dialectically as ‘nigga’ (ˈniɡə). A contemptuous term for a black or dark-skinned person. Origin: late 17th century (as an adjective): from earlier ‘neger’, from French ‘nègre’, from Spanish ‘negro’ (black). Considered by many to be the most offensive word in the English language.
…a lynching featuring a burned and dismembered Black body
NIGGA (ˈniɡə)
Afro-dialectical. A friend; A term of endearment between modern Afro peoples, especially those living in westernized lands. A reclamation derived from a term of slander, ‘nigger’ — suffix vocally then literarily bent with an Afro and Southern USA drawl.
The cover art for Black American writer/rapper Kendrick Lamar’s album ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’
Many (maybe most) young and socially active White Liberals will likely get where I’m about to come from. Many older and more conservative Whites will likely complain, likely using logically fallible arguments, pretending to be deeply offended. And, some other Whites will either choose to confuse this truthy blast of a culture of semi-inappropriate whining… with me being some kind of simple, anti-White ‘racist‘.
To that, the West & Southwest Philadelphianism in my blood says:
“Naw, ‘kheaaaaaaads!!! I’m flyin’ wit this! Fall back!”
Lol!
Aight… So…
Due to the recently heavily publicized oppressions of non-Whites via parts and functions of a global system established centuries ago to disproportionately benefit White status people (especially rich White Anglo-Saxon males who own property), many (not most) non-White (especially Black) people might treat you abnormally sourly for the next few seasons.
Understand.
The racist, sexist, classist megalomaniacs that stole the land called America from the natives here.
Understand.
Notice that I said understand, not to pardon. But, to understand will help to better shape your reaction. And, to direct it towards our common enemy: the system… the malicious interpretation of law and the institutionalized social biases that purposely and inadvertently pit Black against White.
“Wanna go get a burger after this?”
White people, you are not hated by an overwhelmingly vast majority of generally browner peoples. All American ethnic and racial groups–as with most all groups–are merely tribalistic. Fundamentalist-like rhetoric is quite popular in this era, especially with the shield of the internet available–specifically social media. So, keep in mind to not get too reactionary and angry when (non-violently) confronted by the words, concepts, and emotions of random non-White citizens due to your paleness.
“Then, he called me a ‘cracker’. OMG! I don’t own slaves! It’s not my fault that I’m so privileged!”
Understand…
Your privileged status is despised, not you as an individual, by most. Barring, of course, the occasional extremist, most of us browner folks don’t count you all (or most) as part or supporter of, say, the KKK or neo-Nazis. And, there’s a wide spectrum of emotion and approach between “hold hands and sing kumbaya” and “kill Whitey”. So, keep in mind that we are not all ‘Black supremacy’ aspirant genocidal nut-jobs.
Thanks in advance, White people.
We, ‘ze Blacks‘, get profiled based on skin tone as norm in America. It’s cultural, one one hand, and it’s expressed institutionally, on the other. Institutions are what culture-living people use to organize resources and enforce traditions. We are very familiar with being singled out for being [insert color]. If you need a therapeutic shoulder to cry on, discuss it with your most compassionate non-White friends. Our experience with being met with malicious attitudes and intent runs deep. But, that same energy that the lens of sadness filters can be filtered through rage… against the machine. Pity is due to all who receive arguably unwarranted insult lashings. But, in reality, pity for Whites offended by those oppressed under them in the social stratum… is a tough pill to swallow in these times, in this nation, from many (not likely most) Blacks and other non-White status citizens.
Understand why.
On those aforementioned non-White shoulders, you will be reminded that you, too, can be hated; your feelings hurt; your sensibilities rattled… simply due to the skin and race you were born into. Sound familiar? That dehumanization of you is merely a reactionary trait used by the oppressed, taught by the oppressor. It is wrong, and not usually useful to argue justification for, But, it is reality and something to comprehend.
“WENT THEREEEEEEEE!!!!! … On ma Rorschach! “
Now, socio-economic disenfranchisement and commonplace socio-institutional discrimination–to the degree of impoverishing whole communities– is another story; a narrative written by the worst of rich White elites centuries ago, for us all to play out. And, it seems, to many non-Whites, that Whites do not care about this plot line. Thank the media and a lack of massive White counter-action for this. You see, it’s very, very difficult for some non-Whites to share your level of concern with racial bias grievances… given as many non-Whites know many Whites to be tacitly complicit in the detriment of non-Whites… by playing the the role of ‘innocent’ and privilege-less side-liner… when and where work is needed to be done. Those ignorant of privileges held are tacit in this. This is a slim minority. Ignorance is bliss for them, maybe. ‘Those who have the privilege to know have the duty to act“, said Albert Einstein. And, that mofo was smart!
“Say it with [my] chest!”Help us reform or taken down a corrupt, cancerous, cantankerous, and crazy system that enslaves us all… or continue to receive the reaction to that system from folks most hurt by it… who see you and anyone else White… as tacitly and consciously consenting to our genocide.
Because you are.
If you disbelieve, let me throw on a 6X Dickie set, a black skully, and a hoodie and let’s go ride around a rich White neighborh–
Oh, OK…
You were born with social and institutional privileges that you may or may not see. Check the stats on differing treatment of Blacks and Whites by the long arms of the law, banks, housing managers, prison sentence leviers, and more. This nation, physically and institutionally, was mostly built on the backs, blood, and burdening of Black bodies… and continue to be built as such.
Fight the right fight, even in the face of personal hardship. Or don’t, and whine more, disregarding the root of the offense put upon you. But, ignorance of privilege is not a factor held dear by many a person mad at you. Wrong or right, this is reality. Either way, you’ve got a friend (albeit a tough lover) in me, fellow humans.
So, I’m pretty reverent of Afro-woman hair. It looks oh-so good, feels oh-so awesome, and produces and draws in amazing energies. Enjoy these found artsy images of sistas with afros.
The nation stands tense, braced for the decision of a grand jury in Missouri on if police officer Darren Wilson will be indicted as having violated civil rights laws in the killing unarmed Black teenager Mike Brown in the small town of Ferguson, MO on August 9th, 2014.
Officer Darren Wilson (left) and Mike Brown (right), the teenager he killed.
Even if #MikeBrown was an asshole, a thug, a weed user, a cig smoker, a unicorn, and/or whatever else the conservative media makes up, he did not deserve to be summarily executed on the street by a trained police officer (policy enforcer) employed by American government. As always (literally: always) in America, many a talking head, politician, ‘expert’, and news mouthpiece is busy profiling and promoting Black youth as degenerates; as criminals; as thuggish lazy burdens on society.
But, anyway: Fuck Officer Darren Wilson.
But, more importantly: fuck the current culture of policing–and their training–which no longer seems to revolve around de-escalation of situations, but the very opposite. If Wilson he gets off, walks free, then it is even more officially (institutionally and socially backed) Black youth hunting season, and we certainly won’t have that. If he gets indicted for the killing itself, and convicted, even just of manslaughter, then it’s officially time to review previous cases of citizens murdered by cops, especially in potentially racially motivated situations. And, the power structure can’t have that.
On the battlefield in Ira– …America?!?!
This week, Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown, Sr.–the parents of the slain teen–traveled to Geneva, Switzerland to visit the United Nations Committee Against Torture — which also works against cruel or degrading treatment or punishment by government authorities. “We need the world to know what’s going on in Ferguson and we need justice,” McSpadden told CNN in Geneva, Switzerland. “We need answers and we need action. And we have to bring it to the U.N. so they can expose it to the rest of the world, what’s going on in small town Ferguson.”
The document that the parents read to the UN says Brown’s killing and force used by police officers during protests that followed the killing “represent violations of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.” It requests that the U.N. panel recommend the immediate arrest of Officer Darren Wilson, who killed Brown, as well as an end to “racial profiling and racially-biased police harassment across the jurisdictions surrounding Ferguson.” Ferguson authorities have repeatedly denied similar accusations in the past.
“I am… how do you say… a fucking dickhead.” – Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson
If the Killer Cop of Ferguson gets off, and there are riots in protest, or if he is killed in retribution, as is a common conversation being had by many, there may be a pattern started of cop killing, as before in America. If he is convicted and imprisoned, and numerous other killer cops are brought to the same fate for their evils, we could expect an American police culture and governmental reaction. Note that the pro-police and/or pro-social division forces that move around government money brought us the Ferguson situation of militarized police with vile reactions to protesters. To ‘re-establish order’ (read: to put Negros and the poor back ‘in their place’), these sickos would do just about anything.
I hope Darren Wilson is fairly tried and convicted for his evils done, but I also hope that that can go down without dragging the nation further down with it. Justice is supposed to leave not a bitter taste in the citizen mouth but one of sweet elation. But, many an American excuse the killing of most any Black, directly or indirectly; consciously or unconsciously; by forward support or voluntary silence. And, another portion, swearing publicly against racism and espousing “liberal“ ideology, ironically hyper-analyzes the repeatedly media-presented concept that Black teens who get murdered by cops are (were) thugs; criminal by nature; expendable; sub-human. Often, such analysis, feigned even-handedness, and commonality in conclusions is reserved for brown, especially Black youth.
“Give us free” or we gotta rock and #FunkAStatusQuo…
‘Sounds In A Gallery’ is a series of open mic & feature act nightlife gatherings held monthly, on fourth Saturdays, at A Poet Art Gallery in West Philadelphia.
This event features a wide range of visual art on display, varied musical and poetic headliner acts, a welcoming open mic environment, and serves as a meet-up and meeting place for those in and involved with the creative sector. The series is presented by the community arts establishment ‘Love, Us’.
This month, we will feature the emcee and Hip-Hop extraordinaire, The One Sun Lion Ra:
8pm to 9pm gathering. | 9pm open mic & performances
A Poet Art Gallery | 4032 Girard Avenue | Philadelphia, PA
– Right down the street from the Philadelphia Zoo
– Across the street from High School of the Future
View this event on Facebook to join the conversation and keep updated.
Today’s society–especially Western, especially American–is in a sort of state of madness. A war more covert and subconscious than overt and obvious, for many, is being waged between at least four types of people:
Those who claim and/or preach a religion and, for better or worse, act out the morality they interpret from it.
Those who claim a religion but lead lives that observers must struggle to relate to the religion of the claimers.
Those who denounce all religion, jaded by finding no personal, social, or historical value in religion.
Those who are generally spiritualist, claiming intuition, love, and/or esoteric forces as their guide, model, or reality.
“…and BEARS, oh my!”
The word ‘religion’ is commonly defined today as “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods“, or “a particular system of faith and worship.” But, an older and more denotative definition is “a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.”
“…as above, so below… and all that good shit…”
This more vague understanding of the term is due to the truths of its roots. The word ‘religion‘ is rooted in the Latin term ‘religare‘, a verb meaning to ‘bind‘. The noun form being ‘religio‘, which means ‘obligation‘, ‘bond‘, or ‘reverence‘. This word is also present in Olde French, as a leftover from Late Latin. Under the cultural reign of the language Middle English, ‘religio‘ evolved in context, pronunciation, lettering, and application to ‘religion‘; a word meaning, in spiritual system applicant connotation, ‘life under monastic vows‘; a regulatory system taken on by a spiritual aspirant. But, literally meaning ‘the state of being bonded or bound‘ or ‘bondage‘.
Shit Freaks Say… “harder”
‘Bondage‘ means ‘the state of being a slave‘, or ‘slavery, enslavement, servitude, subjugation, subjection, oppression, domination, exploitation, or persecution‘…
Wait! Don’t kill me… yet.
*dodges tomatoes and eggs*
“See, I’ma let me finish, but…”
Now, this all sounds terrible, doesn’t it? The religious are likely reading this, writhing in resentment based in their presumptions about my intention in writing this. Atheists (and many anti-establishment agnostics) are likely jumping for joy; hungry to chime in agreeably.
But, you just know that I gotta say #FunkAStatusQuo on all that noise, fam.
(^_^) Now, let’s pick this apart like a chicken breast sat in front of Aretha Franklin.
“Extra crispy or barbecue, baby-chyl?!”
If one has only a negative view of religion, s/he is (normally) merely a hurt, jaded, reactionary post-religious person. Often, some atheist who didn’t get a prayer answered or dealt through the hardship of the death of someone who ‘didn’t deserve to go like that‘. These people tend to focus more on the historical and present misdeeds of government-style organized (institutional) religions that ravage the Earth–and all the minds, bodies, souls, resources, and hearts on it. They hear a horrific story about the evils of, say, ISIS, the Catholic Church, or Zionists and flip out into tirades against religion and spirituality as a whole. And, even may attack concepts of God, gods, or all meta-physical activity, states, or forces.
“I prayed for my diabetes to go away. It did. But, the medicine made my dick fall off!”
If one only interprets ‘religion‘ as a tools for brainwashing, controlling, exploiting, enslaving (bonding) people in a global pyramid scheme form, then that is the lens they choose, be that cultured or consciously. And, thus, that is how they will perceive reality. They are ‘enslaved‘ to a personal ‘religion‘ of blind and logically fallible over-simplification of spiritual religion via conflation of the dastardly deedsof some humans and what horrors are mandated in some holy books with the interpretively wise and useful philosophies, meta-physics, morality, and easily communicable ‘language‘ of a religious culture.
“Jedi Rights! Ballot or the bullet!”
If one has only a positive view of religion (in general, not just their own, with the rest being considered insane), then, s/he is (normally) a non-self-titled spiritualist; not too big on institutional religion; a love and morality focused person; not perfect, just more open minded than the average zealot; seeking to be more like the more loving interpretations of their favorite messiah, god, deity, messenger, or god, gods, God, or prophet. These people tend to focus on altruism, charity, relativity, reflection, moral activism, histories surrounding their favorite spiritual systems’ myths, claims, truths, and key characters. If one only interprets ‘religion‘ as a philosophy and soulful energy director, ignoring (or even doubting) the vile deeds done by evil meninspired by alternate interpretations of the same holy scripture, then that is the lens they choose, be that cultured or consciously. And, thus, that is how they will perceive reality. They are ‘enslaved‘ to the ‘religion‘ of blind and logically fallible over-simplification of the danger that religion poses when raised as the flag for (basically) nationalistnut-jobs who attain great wealth, renown, resources, weaponry, and a thirst for conquest (of minds, souls, bodies, and land).
Religion is…
Actually, I’ll let the late, great Kahlil Gibran take it from here.
‘On Religion’, from his book ‘The Prophet’ (1923):
And an old priest said, “Speak to us of Religion.”
And he said: Have I spoken this day of aught else?
Is not religion all deeds and all reflection,
And that which is neither deed nor reflection, but a wonder and a surprise ever springing in the soul, even while the hands hew the stone or tend the loom?
Who can separate his faith from his actions, or his belief from his occupations?
Who can spread his hours before him, saying, “This for God and this for myself; This for my soul, and this other for my body?”
All your hours are wings that beat through space from self to self.
He who wears his morality but as his best garment were better naked. The wind and the sun will tear no holes in his skin.
And he who defines his conduct by ethics imprisons his song-bird in a cage. The freest song comes not through bars and wires.
And he to whom worshiping is a window, to open but also to shut, has not yet visited the house of his soul whose windows are from dawn to dawn.
Your daily life is your temple and your religion. Whenever you enter into it take with you your all.
Take the plow and the forge and the mallet and the lute, The things you have fashioned in necessity or for delight.
For in revery you cannot rise above your achievements nor fall lower than your failures.
And take with you all men: For in adoration you cannot fly higher than their hopes nor humble yourself lower than their despair.
And if you would know God be not therefore a solver of riddles. Rather look about you and you shall see Him playing with your children.
And look into space; you shall see Him walking in the cloud, outstretching His arms in the lightning and descending in rain.
You shall see Him smiling in flowers, then rising and waving His hands in trees.
“Two hundred fifty years of slavery. Ninety years of Jim Crow. Sixty years of separate but equal. Thirty-five years of racist housing policy. Until we reckon with our compounding moral debts, America will never be whole.”
“Slavery was ages ago! You weren’t a slave. Your parents and grandparents weren’t slaves. Slavery is over! Move on! Just GET OVER IT!”
That is a common reaction from the mouths of many–and the type very likely lurking silently in the hearts of many more… It is a major part of Americana. Many things are…
In 2014, if one cannot understand why ‘get over it‘ is often an offensive, divisive, logically fallacious and, thus, progressively invalid reaction to claims from within and without the American Black population for various forms of reparations for the 250+ years of varied terrorism visited upon the Black population in the United States of America, and, if one is not biased against Blacks,…
…then, one also lacks the faculties to comprehend claims from within and without the Japanese-, Chinese-, Native-, Jewish-, and other “-American” groups for the terrorism visited upon them over time by the government, government supported social norms (i.e., violent bigot militias), and ethnically biased institutions (i.e., banks, schools, police, etc) from the 16 & 1700’s thru 2014.
Jews murdered in Germany during a campaign partly fueled by rich, White, elite Americans’ dollars.
Shouldn’t they all just… move on?
Did your just mind stutter-step while deciding the answer to that?
Could you even imagine looking into the eyes of the children of Jewish Holocaust victims or those of pre-USA tribes stripped of land, liberty, and life, and saying:
“That was a long time ago. Get over it. Just move on.” (?)
Some people can imagine. Some act that out regularly.
Neo-Nazi Hipster
Not abnormal: many people are biased culturally, racially, and ethnically. This is a far cry from being a hateful bigot. And, denial of such bias merely quietly warps or murders one’s take on equality. That is a very detrimental thing for the Self and Others.
Also, not abnormal. Many people were cultured to only stereotypically consider the lives, mannerisms, conditions, and aims of other cultures and ethnic groups. And, one is either cultured, schooled, or re-educated to consider contemporary and present effects of contemporary happenings, or one doesn’t. So, one either comprehends the real-world, real-time plight of real people, or one is not. Thus, one either applies universal logic to one or some ethnic groups (bias), or to all (not bias). One is either a bigot (subconsciously, overtly, or covertly stubbornly biased person) or is not.
Just Google ‘Donald Sterling’
When Black in America, it is commonly wildly disproportionately difficult to grow up well-rounded, self-assured, and into a productive member of society when that same society is conditioned to attack the average Black with biased laws, financial institutions, education systems, histories, religions interpretations, and an often Black-blaming reactionary norm.
If this nation is ‘post-racial’ and ‘color-blind’, then I’m the lovechild of Santa Clause and a Smurf.
Many people, of all backgrounds, just have not the frames of reference to, or instilled knack for concern for the on-going effects of trauma visited institutionally and socially upon certain groups of people. And, truly and horrifically, the effects of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, American Slavery, Reconstruction, The Black Codes, Jim Crow legislation, the Civil Rights Movement, and more are very present in Black American grand culture.
Yeah, we wore chains for millenia before Europeans enslaved us, but is that what you really think is the subconscious root of our cultural obsession with them now? Be real.
And, I don’t wanna hear anything else about the Oprahs, Jordans, Magics, and Jay-Zs; …the allowed and symbolically necessary ‘exceptions’ to the rule [of global White supremacy racism]..
The system here has instilled in us Blacks to both to overall (culturally) despise assisting those of our own ethnicity and communities, and that those who attempt any real substantial, more-then-symbolic change… will be killed–reputation-wise or literally.
I seek to immerse myself in the lifestyles and locales of in the land of my overseas ‘cousins‘, sharin’ and learnin’ art forms, language, and traditions, and return better developed in mind, body, and soul, to better impact my associates, the youth, our city, race, and nation.
!["Say it with [my] chest!"](https://sfrosty.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/10494834_785579218691_8138715720545398491_n.jpg?w=580&h=387)
But, anyway: Fuck Officer Darren Wilson.
They are ‘enslaved‘ to the ‘religion‘ of blind and logically fallible over-simplification of the danger that religion poses when raised as the flag for (basically) nationalist nut-jobs who attain great wealth, renown, resources, weaponry, and a thirst for conquest (of minds, souls, bodies, and land).
The Fresh Nēgüs 
