Help a Brotha Out!

I was randomly thinking about the current state of black people and this is what I have concluded (this should apply to all minority groups despite race).

If you know me then you know I'd be the first person to point out that social injustices exist to this day despite all the movements, civil rights leaders and laws and policies put into place in our country. However, sometimes enough is enough. Yes "the man" is alive and kicking...yes it is hard for any minority to succeed in American society. Specifically racial groups that exist in the United States due to the fact this country was founded and built upon racism. To go even further it is particularly difficult for African Americans because of the distinct Black-White relations and the brutal past Blacks have had in this country. I say all of this to show you I understand the plights of our people however it is time to stop pointing the finger at the White man. Yes we have had a very unfortunate past but it is time to make the best of our present opportunities to ensure a fruitful future not only for ourselves but our children. I will be highly upset in my old age if my people grow content because they see Obama as "making it" and the peak of our achievement. Yes electing Obama to the highest office in this land is remarkable but can our entire race not long to achieve success such as this.

We have ensured that one of our own has attained his dream by becoming the 44th President of the United States but now is the time to aid our general population in achieving their goals even if it doesn't pale in comparison to Commander in Chief. Once upon a time in American history our people were self-sufficient- this was a time after Emancipation and before integration. They were self-employed, they conducted business amongst each other and there were multiple black cities and towns that flourished throughout this country. Blacks made sure that others that looked like them succeeded by supporting each other in all facets of life. However, shortly after the Civil Rights Movement ended so did this progressive behavior. (One may say this was caused by the end of segregation but that's an entire blog post within itself.) One thing is for sure...we don't support each other like we need to. One person's success is meaningless if he/she isn't willing to share it with others. We'd rather steal, kill and degrade each instead of uplifting one another. And if you look back fifty or so years, this kind of behavior isn't getting us anywhere. We are still suffering from poverty, poor education and crime. So I challenge you to lend a helping hand to your brother or sister because what's the point of "making it" if you don't have others around you to enjoy it with.

"Yes, societal issues exist within our country but placing the blame on others will only get us so far. It is time for us to invest in our culture, our people, and ourselves if we intend to progress."

The Black Man

I just got finished watching a video clip of some teens eluding the police while driving recklessly, endangering lives on their joy ride. What got me thinking and upset was the response of the cops after the teens were finally caught. From what I could tell from the video they were not handcuffed, even if they were it doesn't matter. The police offers were actually calmly standing next to the perpetrator(s) having a conversation with them. They inquired were they hurt, why they did this and other foolywang. Not to my surprise these teenagers belonged to the privileged class in this society...meaning they were White.

From all the videos I've seen in the news where Blacks were being pursued by cops, never have I ever seen a police officer have a normal and sincere conversation with them. I am by no means saying the Blacks didn't break the law but I'm simply making it aware that the law works differently depending on the color of your skin. When Blacks and Hispanics are engaged in criminal acts they are automatically seen as dangerous and cops shoot first ask questions later. It's no secret that minorities have been injured and killed for less than eluding the police and reckless driving like these White teens from Howell.

What comes to mind are stories where a Black man was killed for just reaching in his pocket because the cops thought his wallet/ID/whatever was a gun or pulling a Black man out of his car and holding him to the ground with a knee in his neck because he fits "the description" of a wanted criminal. In a society that is based on racism and racial discrimination it is evident that the law does not work in my or any Black man's favor.

The sad thing is that many of us really do try to do well and dispel the stereotypes set upon us but when you are constantly told that you are worthless then is it any wonder that the Black man is in his current situation?Is it any wonder they are more likely to be sitting in a prison or grave because it is easier to find shelter in a jail cell than in the real world or find a gun and drugs than to obtain a job?

And even when the Black man has "made it" people have preconceived notions of his past, present and future. I've seen the visage change on a person when I tell them I attend UofM on the Ann Arbor campus because behind their pupils they quietly (sometimes not so quietly) assume I'm only there because of affirmative action or some sports scholarship. Or in the corporate world they assume you are only there to fill some quota because it could never be a possibility that you are actually qualified for the job.

Don't get me wrong there are good people out there who don't place these stigmas on Black men nor do they exercise discriminatory practices against them but unfortunately it doesn't take an individual or two but a movement to excite change.

I have a love-hate relationship with America...however most of the time I feel myself despising her. :)

Me...right now

Aight so I'm bored and feel like talking about myself lol. So this is what's on my mind:

I was re-reading "The Golden Compass" but I decided I needed to blog and take care of some business...an hour or so later I'm still blogging...womp.

I'm over clubs. Ish was fun when I was in high school and freshmen year in college but I honestly don't like them and would prefer to chill at a bar/lounge or a house party any day.

A lot of times I don't speak my mind to be nice. I never really regret doing so.

When I get mad, I get extra quiet. I NEVER talk about my feelings regardless of how close we are, especially if I feel like nothing will be accomplished by doing so.

I'm a very private person. If you know about my family, history, goals and ambitions it means we are gonna be friends forever and I've known you for a while/trust you. If not...don't be offended, like I said I'm a private person.

I am actually very knowledgeable about random things but people may never know it because I don't like to be aggressive or overwhelming.

I'm only sarcastic to people I like. If I don't joke around with you then...sucks to be you! lol

'tis all for now.

4th of July- Chicago Style

Snap, crackle and pop! I went to the Chi for Independence Day 1. because I didn't get enough of the city when I went earlier this summer 2. because Michigan sux balls and 3. to visit my lil homie, Tracey.

I went with Tony, Emily and Che...four hours in the car with these clowns, especially Lache makes you a stronger person at the end of the day, lol nah they were coo and I had a good time. We were supposed to leave at noon but Che didn't get there til thirty after which caused me to participate in the CP time too and we didn't end up leaving campus til after 1...womp! But we go there safely and surprisingly traffic wasn't bad so I can't really complain (although I probably will).

We got to Chicago and realized everybody and they momma from the state of Michigan was there so it really wasn't a get-a-way but more like a four hour field trip. We hit up the Cheesecake Factory and after being there countless times I STILL haven't had a slice of cheesecake from there because I'm not paying $7+ for a sliver of dessert. The food was good until later on that night when I had food poisoning or something. Ish hurt so bad I actually tried to make myself throw up but iFailed big time so I just suffered the rest of the night. We ran into Ryan, Will Bos, Donnie, Chika, and Trav randomly and they were drunk as hell. So i basically lived my night vicariously thru them since I just wanted to curl up into the fetal position. And that's exactly what I did when I hit the couch.

We didn't see the fireworks. We didn't sight-see. We didn't go to the Taste. And we didn't do touristy things. But we did club, we did go shopping, we did almost get hit by a reckless [Chicago] driver and I did get toasted beyond belief so I would say it was a pretty great time.

Where's the Funny!?!

Aight so I just saw this video today and iDied...ish is that funny. I had a good laugh so I hope you will too. I couldn't embed the video so you're gonna have to do it the old-fashioned way and follow the link. -----> click me, I'm funny (Funny)

Check me out!

I'm gonna try something new and try to update the blog with new and upcoming things whether it be music, fashion, people, etc.

To start this topic off...I'm gonna start with something old yet new. This is a website I just recently was made aware of. It's the site for my boy Ayo. You may or may not know but outside of doing waaaay too much at UofM he is a poet. And he's actually dope (if you've heard any of his work you would know). Anyway, he just got a site so people can check out his craft. He has some of his work on there so you can listen to it for FREE and then you can also buy his new CD he just released on there too. So check it out at Ayo In Motion BOO-YAH...and enjoy!

I'm TRILL Homie

Aight so if you didn't know I want to go into marketing and promotions after college. I plan on working in the entertainment industry speciafically the record industry along with nightlife i.e. clubs. Me and BJ aka B Jax aka Brittney plan on starting our own firm also. This of course after we get our capital and experience up but it's a goal nonetheless. In order for me to do this I am currently working with Trill Entertainment. For all of yall who don't know this is the record label Boosie and Webbie, among other artists, are on.

I just started working with them about a month or so ago and so far no complaints. But I do need your help and so let me know what you think of their music. If you haven't heard...Boosie is coming out with a new album entitled "Superbad: Return of Boosie Badazz." So far he has two singles out Loose As A Goose and Better Believe It ft Jeezy and Webbie. So check out the links and just let me know what you think by leaving a comment on this post-good or bad lol.

(You can also join the Facebook Group and lemme know what you think about Trill as a label, their artists or their songs. Since Trill is an independent label you can trust that yo opinions do matter and it'll get back to the label through me..yea boi!)

But 4real gimme yo opinions so I can do my job! haha