Sunday 9 October 2011


It’s all about love. Most people don’t even have a true definition of the word love, most people use it as a noun when. Love is action, love is a verb. I use to think I knew what love was until I had a kid. If my kid is hurt or in pain, I would easily give my life for him. When he was much younger and I would pick him up from daycare and he would run and jump into my arms and give me the biggest hug his little arms could muster, that was love being a verb. I can’t say that about most of the people who I have claimed to love. I thought I was in love with my HS sweetheart until I went to the roller-skating rink with Jeff and Greg on Friday night and met a cuter flyer version of Sherry. I thought I was in love with my non-giving it up college freshman sweetheart until I met Ms Sophomore with a car and a spot of campus. Most of what I though was love was just in the meantime. I mean don’t get me wrong I have had girlfriends who I have had a total affection for and would do all most anything but I’m not so convinced that equals love. To love someone is to see them totally happy even if it isn’t with you. To love someone is to love yourself. How am I going to love someone else if I don’t love myself? Love is growth. Love is understanding. When you truly love someone you have to be willing to compromise, you have to able to be forgiving. Love is as love does, when we are loving we are strong, committed, caring , respectful and trusting. Most people are scared of love because love involves risks, fear of the unknown or even worse fear of the know . Fear of that one bad relationship. I will go as far as too say there is no such thing as a bad relationship. Yep I said it, every relationship is a complete learning experience not a bad one but a learning one.

Saturday 14 May 2011

Its Bigger Than Hip-Hop


As a child, I grew up listening to rap music and was influenced by hip hop culture. There was a “golden age”, in hip hop that highlighted positive aspects of African American culture during the late 80’s and early 1990’s. This “conscious” hip hop movement sparked an interest within me to learn more about African American history. It was hip and cool, during that time to dress in a style that showcased Black pride. So, it was with no hesitation, that I allowed, even encouraged, my son to listen to rap and watch music videos. Within weeks, I noticed he adapted a vocabulary that included slang and some disrespectful words. He was also wearing over-sized jeans so low that his underwear was showing. Being the parent of a teenager, I thought I was pretty knowledgeable, about the popular music that kids listen to. Through this experience with my son, I soon became aware of a negative downturn within rap and hip hop that is alarming.

This downturn caused me to monitor and somewhat censor my son’s exposure to hip hop. Thing’s were progressing quite well, no hip hop, no negativity in our lives. So I thought. I was totally oblivious to the fact that his environment may have influenced his change in behavior, not just the music. My son and I live in Park Heights, Baltimore City. A neighborhood engrossed in drug abuse and crime. Not to mention, there is a tremendous amount of crime in neighborhoods across the country, ranging from the inner city to the suburbs. Rap and hip hop exhibit this reality, the music is a reflection of the world we live in. The artists present the truth of life in the turbulent inner cities in America. Realism is definitely elevated through rap and hip hop. Rap and hip hop music is not destroying our communities and the futures of our children. We as a society continue to allow our communities to fail, become overrun with drugs, violence and poverty, and neglect the needs of our children. I, along with others in the community, must be held accountable to ensure the success of our children.

My son and I sat down and listened to various types of rap and hip hop music. We had to balance out the negative with the positive. Unfortunately, I will never be able to totally shield him from the ills of this society. Nor, do I have to constantly expose him to lyrics filed with profanity and tales of misdeeds and violence, in an effort to be “cool” amongst his peers. I have to explain to my child, that this society has many problems. We have to persevere, succeed, and simply just try to give back to our troubled youth, hoping that this will have a positive impact on our community.

Placing the blame on rap and hip hop in regards to my son’s behavior, was an excuse I made, it was an easy way out. I took this route overlooking the fact that I needed to dig deeper into other factors that may have had an influence on his behavior. Parents and concerned citizens don’t necessarily have to totally cease all rap and hip hop from our children’s listening pleasure to counteract the problems. We must expose our children to those artists who are still “cool”, but positive and uplifting. Will Smith, Queen Latifah, and Common, are just a few names in hip hop culture, whose music surpasses negativity. Consumers have to ensure through our monetary purchases, that we support these artists. The public must demand that radio and television stations play more constructive and positive music.

The problem is “bigger than hip hop”. I use that phrase from the lyrics of a song by rap group “Dead Prez”. The lyrics tell a story of lives destroyed by depravation, violence, drug abuse and injustice suffered by minority youth in the inner cities. Sadly, sometimes it’s an endless cycle that continues from generation to generation. Hip hop and rap music give a “voice” for those trapped in the ghetto, in the cycle, to tell their plight to mainstream America. This “voice” helped to open a dialogue between my son and I . Hip hop and rap music is also the “voice” of young urban America, one that needs to be heard, and listened to, not silenced or censored.


Friday 13 May 2011

Give it a Rest Guys


Hello Friends!
Those folks on the far right are starting early with the nonsense to discredit anything President Obama does. Be prepared to be saturated with all types of malarkey with the election season heating up. All of you know my deep love and appreciation for all things related to Hip Hop culture. So, It's quite alarming, to see "them" try to label one of the most positive and conscious hip hop artists a "gangster" rapper? This is totally false and Common's lyrics have been misconstrued by those trying to use his visit to the White House as ploy to stir up unnecessary and unwarranted controversy. So Sarah Palin STFU! I've attached some links regarding this issue for your reading and viewing pleasure.
Peace!


Come on Man!



Will they ever just leave Donovan alone? I am all for criticism regarding his on the field play, but I truly believe the recent comments made by Bernard Hopkins are unjustly warranted. Donovan exemplifies strong character and handles his numerous critics with dignity and class. He is the epitome of the definition of a role model. I have a great appreciation for Bernard Hopkins as well. For one, he is my Philly brethren! B-Hop's focus and determination after prison put him on the track to successful boxing career, a middleweight champion. His story of redemption is one that resonates well with inner city youth. That's why it's crucial Hopkins' remarks don't sway urban youth into thinking that obtaining "privilege" or being raised in a non-urban environment makes you a sell out. If you haven't already, please read the entire statement released by McNabb's agent. It's the 2nd link I've attached. It perfectly summarizes why we can't allow these classicism stereotypes to continue to divide our community. Have a great weekend!
Peace !

Sunday 1 May 2011

Lead Paint Diss

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-04-05/health/bs-md-lead-paint-mayor-20110404_1_housing-authority-paul-t-graziano-public-housing/2


Old Dirty Bastard put it best, Wu-Tang is for the kids. I guess our Mayor wasn't an ODB fan. From how I see it, its not the kids fault they got lead paint poisoning, Im not even sure you could do my favorite thing and put all the blame on the parents. The courts even felt that Baltimore City was at fault and awarded people money. The city has money to pay city workers who gamble on the clock, they pay convicted felons who are still in jail, they have money for a Grand Prix race and you cant pay the kids? As much as my water bill is, that is at least paying for three or four families easy not the mention my BG&E bill. Dont they realize that Baltimore is a predominately black city and maybe just maybe some of these kids you are turning your back on are our future leaders. I'm willing to bet there are some future Ben Carson's and Kwesi Mfume's out there. Most of the kids in this situation are already starting out at the bottom of the ninth with two strikes and two outs. I'm not politician but it seems like I would find some way to invest in our children. As my son would say....IJS

Saturday 22 January 2011

What is your Love Language

This question was posed to me the other day and I thought I knew the answer but the more I thought about it the more I realized that I was clueless. One of my hardest task is being truthful with myself about myself. The way I love is balls to the wall ( no pun intended), I love like I drink beer, in excess. I have a very addictive nature so I need to be very careful with my movements. With all that being said I demand alot from others, its what you sign up for but at the same time Im willing to give it. I give myself a rate of 6.5, im passing but there is room for improvement. Most of my married friends tell me that their spouse is their confidant and best friend. One of the most important lessons I've had to learn is not to be so selfish, everything is a compromise, the world dosent revolve around just me anymore. As a person who tends to be private about my personal affairs it becomes a problem when now I have to be honest and open with my soul mate, she deserves that right? Its all about building that foundation, one block at a time, My relationship now is a sum total of all my past relationships, I'm finally learning to accept responsibility for my faults and learn from them. Its taking some time but i finally think im getting the hang of it. A.J. is extremely lucky!

Friday 14 January 2011

Murdermore, Harmcity, The city that Bleeds, Cherrykill.I could go on and on. Somebody is getting shot, stabbed or beat it seems like everyday here in Baltimore. I use to think we were getting a bad rap and the media only portrays the worst but now it seems like they are just doing their job. Bad ass babies grow up to be bad ass kids who grow up to be bad ass teenagers who grow up to be bad ass grown ups. Am I the only one who see's the need to break the cycle at the roots? The city is under financial stress but what city isnt,thats no excuse. Stop blaming the youth, they had to learn it from somewhere right? My man JO swears that behavior in ingrained from birth, we fight tooth and nail about this, I feel like behavior is learned from the people you surround yourself with. Who do the youth surround themselves with? Well in the very beginning its the parents right? Where do they learn that its cool to buck authority? Where do they learn its cool to beat the system. Im sure there are many valid reasons why us grown ups think this but we have to break the cycle somewhere right?