Injustice In Ferguson: America In Black & White

What's going on folks.  Hope everyone is having a safe and Blessed holiday.  Regardless of my personal feelings about the origin and beginning of Thanksgiving the holiday, it still seems to bring families together to reflect upon things they're thankful for and I hope everyone has lots to feel thankful and grateful for.  Unfortunately, this week saw the worse example of injustice this nation has seen in many years, dare I say since the 60s and 70s.  Unless you've been under a rock or you isolated yourself from anything that had to do with media, you're aware of the sickening display of blatant injustice exhibited in Ferguson, Missouri.  Over the summer, this once unknown city became a lightning rod for controversy over the slaying of eighteen-year-old Michael Brown from Officer Darren Wilson.  What had the nation in an uproar was the fact that the kid was unarmed at the time of the shooting.  After over three months of hearing from witnesses and from Wilson himself before a grand jury, they finally deliberated, only to have the chief prosecutor state at 9:15 EST that Wilson wasn't going to be indicted for his role in the death of the young Brown.  Tensions were already at a searing point with the citizens of the town.  Throughout that day, people started to merge outside the Hall Of Justice as they were expecting Wilson to, at the very least, face indictment.  Once the decision was made known, all hell broke loose, and that's putting it mildly.

Within minutes, fires were started, looting started to commence, and people were getting hurt and/or killed, as well as arrested.  While people such as Michael Brown Sr. and others were begging the citizens that, no matter what, rioting wasn't the answer, the citizens weren't hearing any of it.  The scene resembled that of the infamous riots of Birmingham, Watts, and of course the most recent notable riot, the L.A. riots of 1992 following the acquittal of the officers involved in Rodney King's brutal beatdown.  Many would say that the city was ready for armageddon no matter if there was an indictment or not.  If there wasn't, there would've been a monstrous block party that likely would've been almost as wild.  Reporters doing standups and providing live coverage of the rioting were very much put in harm's way although none were seriously injured.  It was a chilling and surreal scene as the citizens, made up of mostly Black citizens, expressed their rage and frustrations over the decision by the grand jury.

Now for the rant, so be forewarned in case anyone gets pissed off here.  This was one hundred percent certified example of the fact that the more things change, the more they stay the same.  At first when I saw the prosecutor and he said that Wilson was cleared of all charges, I said that a war was about to develop, and it did.  The funny thing is, as much as I didn't condone the actions that were about to take place, I'm not going to lie and say that a part of me didn't understand their rage and their frustrations.  I felt the anger and resentment as a young Black man.  If we think about the slayings and murders of the likes of Trayvon Martin, Sean Bell, Amadu Dialo, and many, many others, this situation with Michael Brown was the cherry on top of the sundae if you will.  The gripping videos of R&B singer August Alsina crying on stage following the verdict as well as southern emcee Killer Mike breaking down on stage in St. Louis stating that he's scared for his twenty-year-old son and his eight-year-old son in this society were hard enough to view.  Then we see the video of a heartbroken and irate Leslie McSpadden, the mother of Michael Brown, weepingly almost uncontrollably over the decision and the outcry of Brown's stepfather to "Burn this bitch down", and you suddenly become one with the citizens of Ferguson.  To witness a mother's heartbreak, in the midst of what she, Brown's stepfather, and Brown father have had to endure, was nothing short of tear-jerking.

Simply put ladies and gentlemen: this country is full of shit.  The laws and rules of this nation weren't meant to protect a large portion of us.  At first, this was a racial issue to me, but then through time I realized this was even a little bigger than race and gender.  There have many non Blacks that have had their asses handed to them with injustice.  Although we're the most target and hunted, we're also not the only ones.  Before any self righteous asshole comes at me with the whole "Well Brown shouldn't have been acting how he was acting leading up to him getting killed", slap your fucking selves!  SO what he may or may not have been acting dumb, the bottom line is that he was unarmed.  Let me repeat that UNARMED.  End of the fucking argument.  Was there cause for rioting and looting?  No it wasn't.  However let me say this.  The people tried the peaceful protests and peaceful marches, and still there was no justice.  Nobody cared or even gave a damn about their concerns about this matter.  They felt their voices weren't being heard so they had to yell a little louder to get their attention, they likely felt.  The question is, what do you do when even peace doesn't work?  How do you explain peace and civility to a family who's college bound son was gunned down and the killer with a badge walked free without even facing so much as an involuntary manslaughter charge?

No disrespect or sought to my non-Black friends, but I've never or hardly seen any of you all get your asses kicked and/or murdered by the cops, much less have them beat you down, kill you, and then they walk.  The media doesn't show this.  This also leads me to another point if I may.  The media is full of shit too.  I've stated this quite often but it really does sadden me that we're always depicted as animals, thugs, robbers, crooks, rapists, beaters, and every other negative depiction you can think of.  The media is quick to believe this kid acting with ferocity against an officer, but not so quick to depict him as a family loving young man on his way to college.Likewise, they didn't show a ton of coverage of the peaceful demonstrations that were being held in Ferguson, but all over the riots.

I won't sit here and say that we don't have a ton of work to do in our own community.  In order for us to get taken seriously by the powers that be (if we ever will), we have to conduct ourselves like we have some sense and stop feeding into these things that America expects you to become.  We have no self worth, thus leading to self destruction.  I've often called out those that are quick to picket and protest when Whites and other non-Blacks commit crimes and injustices against us, but we do little to nothing when it comes to Pookie killing or raping Shaniqua.  We don't have marches and demonstrations about those things.  We may have occasional domestic violence demonstrations and child abuse demonstrations, but what about other crimes in our community?  Also, do you see anymore demonstrations about Trayvon?  Didn't think so.  Meanwhile that SOB Zimmerman is in custody, but not related to anything having to do with his cowardly actions towards that young man.  If we want the respect that we demand, it must start in the home, as in our own community.  Uplift and embrace each other, stop being the jokes that the media presents to the masses and start being the kings and queens that we descended from.  Remember, people are destroyed from the lack of knowledge.

Let's look at a couple other situations that have been in the news. Tamir Rice, who was tragically gunned down when he showed police a BB gun, and they had it "mistaken" for a real gun.  This sounds eerily similar to back in August, when John Crawford III was gunned down in Wal-Mart when he was playing with an unloaded air rifle, even when he was heard telling police "It's not real".  There's also Andy Lopez, the thirteen-year-old child that was killed by also having a fake gun.  These and other stomach-turning tragedies are reflections of how Police have been trained to now shoot first, ask later, even involving children.  They're the biggest cowards in the world, well depending upon whom you ask of course.  Back in '89, N.W.A. released "Fuck The Police" to much heat, but they were accurately depicting the abusive power of police.  Years later, criminally under appreciated duo dead prez dropped their AMAZING and powerful classic debut, let's get free, and one of the boldest cuts was "Police State", a dark, brooding cut citing the cowardly and unjust treatment of regular citizens.

I could go on and on about this topic, but I'll end with saying that the last shall be first.  We won't go out quietly.  To the people of Ferguson, do NOT give up.  To the family of Mike Brown, do NOT give up.  To Wilson and the police department of Ferguson, you must live with blood on your hands, and will not go unpunished.  Rioting may not be the answer, and I'm not going to condone those actions, but best believe Wilson woke up those that may have been sleeping.  To my Black community, stop being your own worst enemy.  There's strength in numbers, but we must stop being ignorant to the tricks of the establishment.  Once we chill out on the self-hate, imagine the power we'll have over the system?  Until next time, folks, have a wonderful holiday weekend!  Rest In Power Mike Brown.

What's Hot: Accusations, So-Called Deliverances, & Slaps

What's happening world?!  It's been a few weeks since I've done any of my blogs due to being back in the work force, but I'm back with a little time and BOY do I have a lot to go over and give my opinions on.  Controversial? You bet, but then again I wouldn't be me if I didn't tell my opinion of what the truth is concerning these matters.  With all that said, let's get to it, since I know you all have missed me and my views.

First off, let's start with the latest stem of news concerning iconic comedian Bill Cosby.  The man known for decades as "America's Favorite Dad", coming from his role as the memorable Cliff Huxtable from "The Cosby Show", has been the subject of quite a firestorm stemming from accusations of rape and sexual assault that have been dating back as long as the beginning of the millennium.  One such accuser stated that she was an aspiring actress in the late eighties.  She looked to Cosby as a mentor and he subsequently took her under her wing, according to the accuser.  There were moments, according to her, that she woke up with no clothes on in an altered state, similar to being drugged, and that they often happened during their interaction.  From there, thanks to another accuser that had said virtually the same thing about Cosby, these accusations have come back and have come back with vengeance.  However, now it's reached bigger levels in the digital age, as many have constructed Cosby memes saying the most damaging things and tweeting some extremely volatile accusations and insults concerning this matter.

Folks, until there's PROOF and court handling about this, SHUT UP!  Wait, I forgot.  This is a guilty until proven innocent country, especially in the court of public opinion.  In this digital age, it's very easy to spread a ton of venom and by all means, everyone should believe everything you see and read on the Internet (rolling my eyes).  Rape is one of the most damaging and life-altering situations in society and in lives.  Rape and sexual assault is NOTHING to be played with, minimized or ridiculed.  At the same token, if someone is screaming rape, it BETTER be the truth.  Once one is accused of it, it forever shatters their reputation.  Guilty or not, it changes them.  For Cosby's sake, of course I hope none of this is true.  Truthfully, however, even if he's not guilty and none of this is actually true, he'll remain scarred from this.  No his personal life hasn't been the most picturesque, especially with his marriage to Camille, but sexual assault and rape??  Although I don't put anything past anyone in today's times, this one I'll wait for this to go to court before I say anything else.

Next up, last weekend was the COGIC (Church Of God In Christ) annual Holy Convocation in St. Louis, MO.  During the service, a young man named Andrew Caldwell proudly stated that he had been "delivered' from homosexuality and that he was "attracted to womens" and that he didn't "like mens no more" (mens and womens...smh).  The video of it went viral and of course there was much scrutiny and conversation about the matter.  Many have accused him of being a "fake" and a con artist.  There was even a story that surfaced that stated he was a scam artist who raising money for the COGIC church.  Whether or not these accusations are true, which like the previous story, remains to be seen.

Folks, who really cares if got "delivered" from his homosexuality or not?  Really, who cares?  As a Christian myself, I'm a believer that God can deliver anyone from any affliction that you're having trouble with, especially when it's of a spiritual nature.  There has obviously been the age old debate of homosexuality being a sin.  I've already stated my opinion of the Bible in our times of today and its historical context, but this was clearly a personal matter to him.  I'm not a homosexual man, but I don't know how someone can turn from being attracted from one gender to another.  You're attracted to who you're attracted to, simple and plain.  Your lifestyle represents you and where your happiness dwells.  In an increasingly tolerant society towards the LGBTQ community, it was obviously an inner struggle he was dealing with, as we all know the church and especially the old school, traditional churchgoers look down, condemn, and judge members of this lifestyle.  It's hard enough being gay, much less a gay man, out here in the world based upon how the man is traditionally and naturally painted and presented.  Do I believe in the lifestyle? No I don't.  Do I accept them as people and human beings? Absolutely.  If this was what he felt he needed to do to get closer to God, that's his choice and decision.  I can't say there aren't any scam artists, con artists, phonies, and fakes in the church because quite frankly we see it often and it's honestly getting beyond ridiculous.  We've seen people delivered from addictions and other afflictions, but it's not often we see men or women delivered from their gay/lesbian lifestyles and maybe that's part of where the skepticism comes in.  Only time will tell and if he is a con artist, like scripture says:" What's done in the dark, shall come to the light".  Remember that, Caldwell.

The last story up for discussion is the story of Denay Howard and the slap heard around the viral world.  I first caught wind of this story on Worldstarhiphop and was floored.  If you haven't seen this firestorm of a video, take a look.




This was hideous.  I'm not talking about what the guy did to her either.  Folks, what you clearly saw was bullying and a crew of young ratchet ass girls being messy and simply put, they looked like idiots.  These chicks were slapping cameras out of people's hands and Ms. Howard hit this guy, who honestly sounded like he either had a developmental problem or was from another country originally, with her shoe as a weapon, acting reckless.  She got completely and utterly what she deserved, point blank period.  There are consequences folks to actions like this.  Initially, four people, including Howard, the young man in the video Jorge Pena, were all charged with felony assault.  However, charges were later dropped from Pena, stating he struck the ratchet ass Howard with self defense and rightfully so.

Weeks ago, I went IN on the story where a young man was assaulted by his baby mama with a pole, only later to get arrested by local police by her lying to the police telling then he struck her in a case of unfair, double standard justice when it came to domestic situations and assaults on women.  Before then, we saw Solange hitting and throwing shoes at Jay-Z in an elevator caught on security camera and how I thought it was deplorable that people would laugh and create memes about this when if the roles were reversed he would catch an enormous backlash.  In this case, this was crystal clear proof that men can get assaulted too (if the video of the man getting beat by a pole wasn't proof enough).  She completely, whole-heartedly, and totally was in all the wrong here, and I personally can't blame him.  He did what he had to do in the midst of getting bullied and getting hit by a shoe and a purse by one of her other stupid ass buddies.

On "The View", always outspoken Whoopi Goldberg repeated her stance on women hitting men and consequences, a point she made clear after the Solange/Jay-Z altercation.  Take a look at this clip.




Whoopi has been under the ire of women in the past for, what seemed like, condoning men hitting women in the past.  In my opinion, which is what counts on MY blog, she would've gotten the exact same tidal wave of hate tweets IF this wasn't caught on video and made viral.  She made the same point then, and she did in this clip, which was if you have the audacity and the nerve to put your hands on a man, don't just think he'll just accept and take that.  Enough of this victim, I'm a woman and I can do that, bullshit.  Seriously.  In the age of feminists and women screaming equality, this counts just as much.  If you dare strike a man, expect a jab back at your ass.  Simple.  If he should have to walk away from a highly mounting situation, she should too.  We've heard all about the Ray Rice situation and Adrien Peterson and other stars and athletes that put their Ike Turner wifebeater tees on, but it's considered unmanly and weak for a man to report a woman hitting and abusing them. It's a no win situation because of this double sided legal system.  I'm not an advocate for domestic abuse, but I don't condone anyone hitting anyone.  Men, keep your hands off women unless provoked.  Women keep your hands off men unless provoked.  It's not that damn hard.  Also, don't play the sympathy card either.  Nobody wants to hear that crap.  Those types of women sure weren't victims of anything when they would poke, spit, hit, slap, and injure men and not expect them to do anything, but they'll use the law on their side to get the man in trouble.  In this case, Pena did what he instinctively felt he needed to do, because she attacked him as a grown man, so that's what she got.  You don't like what I said?  So what, unfriend me, unfollow me, nobody cares, least of all me.  Consequences, nobody is above them, and as Howard and her friends were shown, if you play with fire enough times, you'll eventually get burned.

That's all for this week.  Thanks for hanging with me.  Until next time, have a great week!

Black On Black Hate???

What's happening friends and haters?!  It's been a couple of weeks since I have updated this social commentary blog but I'm back and I have a great topic of discussion that has become, other than the Ebola outbreak which I'll have an extensive amount to say about next week, the most controversial debate within the week.  Leave it to my friend and yours, NBA Hall Of Famer Charles Barkley to be in the middle of it.

Late last week, Charles Barkley did an interview, and he stated that Blacks were being targeted by other Blacks in terms of success.  He used the terms "uneducated" and "brainwashed" to describe these kinds of Blacks.  Here's a quote from that interview:

"For some reason, we're brainwashed to think that if you're not a thug or an idiot, you're not Black enough.  If you go to school, make good grades, speak intelligent, and don't break the law, you're not a good Black person."

There has been mixed opinions about that viewpoint from Sir Charles.  Many co-signed his stance about self hate within our community, while others felt he was being totally self righteous and demoralizing the Black community.  This came off the heels of the rather slanderous accusation that Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson wasn't "Black enough" according to his teammates.  Wilson, reportedly, was getting this kind of reaction from teammates of his due to his closeness with the front office and management.  There, in tow, lies the problem.

I'm personally trying to see why so many of us are discontented and angry with what he stated.  What part of that truth are these people not accepting?  As a person that has been labeled as an "Oreo", "Wannabe" and all those derogatory terms due to my educational growth within a majority White, Catholic based institution from Kindergarten through my senior year of high school, I'm a living witness to how self-deprecating our own culture can be because you're still expected to "keep it real" or "represent" or any of those terms that truthfully should've stayed in the early nineties.  I was one of those kids that was raised off and on in the hood, but went across town to get my education, my mother's choice, not mine.  Some of my own neighborhood friends, while just playing (I think), referred to me as a "White boy", in spite of the fact that I'm actually a dark-skinned chocolate dude (shouts to Michael Jordan and Wesley Snipes for making it easy to be a dark skinned cat out here.  You guys are pioneers).  I didn't get it.  Yes, I had extended vernacular and vocabulary.  Yes, I had quite a few friends that were White.  Yes, my clothes all came from the mall and were kind of high.  None of that was my fault.  The crazy thing was that I never threw it up in their faces.  I was still "down" with them all, even involving myself in stuff I had no business in doing at times just to fit in.  There, in tow, is the ambiguity.  Not only am I trying to fit in at school just to have a friend or two, but I also have to fit in with my own neighborhood and community as well.

As I got older and became an adult, I realized how stupid that was.  There are those Blacks that don't even like associating with fellow Blacks in no way, shape, or form.  Although I completely disagree with excluding your fellow Black man or woman from your life, that's your prerogative and decision. It's not bringing or taking money to or from my wallet.  How is it that we're all about "unity" and "coming together" but we still have issues doing just that.  We're very quick to protest, scream racism,  and all these other beat-my-chest moments to proclaim pro-Blackness.  However, we can also be the biggest hypocrites of any culture.  We scream success, but you still have to talk crass, wear team jerseys, and do and say other completely idiotic things just to "stay down" or "stay real".

There are certain traits that you apparently must have in order to be considered a "real Black": you must be either an athlete, have lots of children especially out of wedlock, know what's "hot" on the radio, and have some sort of brush with the law.  That's not a slanderous comment.  That's the view of these ignorant jackasses that continuously feel the need to define what "Blackness" is.  There are people that feel Black people should only go to HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities for the uninformed), thus completely supporting segregation, something our parents and grandparents were fighting for, and even died over, just so we could at least try and obtain a better life.  The funny thing is, our current president Barack Obama is an ivy league graduate, as well as First Lady Michelle.  Nobody dares to question his Blackness, even though he's only half-Black (in our culture that's considered all-Black).  However, we'll question each other's Blackness because of that same fact of going to and/or graduating from ivy league institutions like Yale, Harvard, Stanford, or Columbia?  To those people: GROW UP!

Let's examine this from another perspective.  Let's take Chris Rock.  He's one of the most famous and successful comedians in entertainment.  His early life was portrayed for the world in his wonderful and mostly autobiographical sitcom, "Everybody Hates Chris".  His life was almost like mine.  Young kid living in Bedstuy, Brooklyn but getting his education across town at an all White school.  He was bullied, called names daily, and had to always prove himself to somebody.  The only difference between my life and his was that he had siblings and I didn't.  I applaud ANY Black that succeeds, without having to answer to the stigma of what being "down" represents.  We can be our own worst enemy and the biggest hypocrites out there.  We legitimately can be just as big of a threat to our endeavors as White supremacy and that's the honest truth.  I don't care if you like it.  It's not nor will it ever be my concern.

What Charles said was spot on.  I don't agree with some things he tends to say, but he was one hundred percent accurate about his assertion of what I call Black On Black Hate.  If you're angry or uncomfortable with his comments, you must be one of those same crabs in a barrel that he was referring to.  You just simply need to check your own ignorant selves and access your growth spurt.  Blacks, in general, have more than enough mountains that we must climb without our own bringing us down too.  The term "too Black" or "too White" are devaluing and shows lack of character.  Several people have stated, "If being White means using correct grammar, correct spelling, getting straight A-averages, and staying out of trouble, I'll be the Whitest person I can be."  Questionable approach, but definitely the sentiment speaks volumes.  Sometimes, hell in fact most times, the truth hurts.  It's comfortable.  It can be quite unsettling.  Often times, it's used for outward and inward clarity.  If the truth hurt you about what Barkley said, start asking yourself why. If you have a problem with it, you're the problem. Start with yourself first then proceed from there.  We seriously have a character problem within our community and conversations and topics like this are meant to get to the meat and bread of the matter.  Stop hating on your own Blacks successes.  Embrace them.  Stop with the whole "too Black" or "too White" crap.  We'll come together when we're the victims of injustice.  How about coming together for the uplifting of our successes and the encouragement to move on from our failures.  That's all for now folks.  God willing, I'll get at you all next week in the social commentary blog.

The Cold Day In Hell Has Arrived

Welcome folks.  Glad you made it back with me today, and boy did you come back for a red hot moment.  This is actually breaking news for us here in NC.  About four hours ago, the same-sex ban was lifted and declared "unconstitutional", which means homosexual couples can marry as soon as possible.  If you've been in NC long enough, or for that matter in the South, you know this is a landmark decision.  Practically the entire southern region of the U.S. is red (for those unaware, that means they're Republican-ran states).  For years, southern states forbade the union of same sex couples.  This marks the first state in the South to allow same sex unions.  I would imagine this has caused a massive stir in the red states, with their bigotry and close-minded views.

I won't spend too much time on this situation, simply because there's not much to be said.  I'm don't necessarily "agree" with LGBTQ lifestyle, but they're no less human beings than anyone else.  Nobody has the right to tell people who they can and can't love and marry.  NOBODY.  Remember when it was illegal for men and women of different races (primarily Black and White) to marry?  Whomever one is attracted to is on them.  Maybe it's true: the heart wants what it wants.  It's a shame when there has to be governmental regulations as to who you can fall in love with.  I may not agree with the lifestyle nor do I understand it, but the thing is, it's not for me to, and I'm content with that.  So should everyone else.

Wait, let's let the traditional Christians get their say-so in here.  Come on with the "homosexuality is an abomination" speech and the telling of Sodom and Gomorrah.  As much as The Bible has been such a crucial part of my upbringing, but truthfully...well just go to last week's piece to see what I had to say about Christianity and its history.  The crazy thing is that the King James Version of The Bible, the most revered and cross-generational version of any version of the Good Book, was made by (gasp!) a homosexual man.  Go figure.

Let's try letting them live in peace and happiness.  This is a major victory for the LGBTQ community, but truthfully this is a victory for every other culture that says "you can't fall in love with anyone we don't feel you should fall in love with or marry."  There are FAR more important issues plaguing our country than people raising hell about who someone can or can't marry.  The truth of the matter is that times are continuing, whether we like it or not.  Whether we're progressing or regressing is completely subjective.  Maybe it's a little of both, but whatever the case, you either adapt or get left behind.  The rules apply to everybody, including me.  That's all for now kiddies.  See you next week, God willing!  Let's come together, not separate more than we already have done.

Christianity: Is Ignorance Really bliss???

What's happening folks??  Glad you're riding with me one more week.  This week's subject is undoubtedly my most controversial post to date, and truthfully I may lose some with this one, but this is an area that I feel highly compelled to discuss and give my three cents in on.  If you feel the need to unfriend me, please do so now and don't read any further, with your close-minded asses.  This was inspired by a very touchy, yet relevant and important, video made by a widely known Atheist named Dusty Smith that had the balls to go there.  Here's the video, but I will warn you if you haven't seen this video, this may make you feel some kind of way.




This video had started some heated conversations, however they're certainly way overdue.  What this man pointed out was how it was Biblically okay to own slaves.  He pointed out scripture that backed this up, from both the Old and New Testament.  While we often use the Bible, as well as the Holy Quran, as the centerpiece for daily inspiration and instructional value for life itself, people fail to remember, or even acknowledge, that they're still historical documents.  It's been widely speculated and idealized that William Shakespeare actually wrote the Bible in the 1600s.  While Dusty was, at times, very inflammatory, he also told us historical truth that can be backed up and identified.  We, as Blacks, should already know that our ancestors had to adapt Christianity or die, there were no other options.  Keep in mind, because of fear and intimidation, we have also taught along down through generation to generation this subtle idea that 'White is right', which obviously indicates that if whites taught us something, it must be true.  However, we start tapping into our pro-Blackness and start delving deeper into our history about Black inventors, scientists, and other significant pioneers within our culture, but we seemingly don't ever acknowledge our ancestors pain when it came to Christianity.  It's been taught to us to never question Christianity, just believe everything in faith, but why is that??  Let me go deeper.

Let's look at the traditional holidays we celebrate.  Let's look at Christmas first.  In Christianity, we were taught that it was the birth of Jesus Christ.  He was born to the Virgin Mary and Joseph on that day, and we commemorate it generally by showing love and exchanging gifts and eating nice sized feasts on that day.  Besides the fact that this is a VERY commercial holiday, so many people aren't aware, or don't care, about the fact that there may very well be a whole other part to the origins of Christmas.  Historical documents and texts have stated that the true origin came from the Roman festival known as Saturnalia, which was named after the ancient Roman god Saturn, who was traditionally seen as the god of agriculture, liberty, and money.  Around the time of the winter solstice, the people would celebrate his birth by exchanging gifts and having festivals, with neither courts nor school in session during this few day period.  A couple of days after the solstice, the Roman people would partake in a lighting ceremony for truth and wisdom, on December 25th.  When  Christianity took a hold over Rome, the ideals embedded within Christianity took over, and much like slaves of Africa, people within the Roman empire either adapted or perished, much like evolution.

Let's also examine the origins of Easter.  This was originally a pagan holiday, in which the goddess of fertility Ishtar died in the underworld looking for her deceased husband Tammuz.  She then dies alongside her husband, however two creatures in the underworld sprinkled them with living water and they come back to life, thus both of them go back to Earth as light of the sun for six months, thus the cycle gets repeated every six months in its duration.  Christianity states the obvious story of Jesus' death on Good Friday, and resurrects on that following Sunday.  The symbol of the bunny rabbit actually goes back to the goddess of Spring Eostere, who was often associated with a bunny as a symbol of the arrival of spring and its egg represented the fertility of life.  However, this is never even close to being mentioned in today's society.

As far as Thanksgiving, there were a couple of stories that are associated with the holiday, neither of which are pleasant but we still celebrate them with glee.  In America, a Native American tribe was slaughtered by puritans.  Those that survived were sold into slavery.  It was named by the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a "day of thanksgiving" for all the seven hundred men, women, and children that they killed or conquered, and it just so happened on the day known for the Green Corn Festival for the Peqout tribe.  Even further back then the 1600s, The fighters on the side of the Chrisitans conquered Northern Africa, in particular Turkey.  Which meant that the citizens that survived either adapted Christianity or died, or would be in exile, then would eventually die.  Subsequently the "turkey" represents the country from which our ancestors were enslaved or killed during this time period.

We, as Black people, whether Christian, Muslim, Buddhists, or whatever, fail to realize that religion, at least organized religion, has divided our culture for thousands of years, and we seem perfectly content with that.  As I  stated earlier, we're taught to research, question, and evaluate everything in our culture, but we better not touch religion.  Why not??  Is white really right??  Are we content within our ignorance?  I wrote about the show "Black Jesus" a few weeks ago and how up in arms our culture and community was over that show.  The question I have is, why are condemning and blasting a show about a Black version of Jesus (how many actually know his name was Yashua Bin Yosef?  I won't go there), but we'll watch movies all day depicting a White version of Jesus and won't say a word??  Mental slavery people!

Listen, I'm a Christian too.  I have a deep relationship with God and it's personal with me.  However, I reserve and deserve the right to question the history of Christianity, and there have been things that I've discovered that are inconclusive, and truthfully in some cases hypocritical, but when I ask about it, the response I get is "Believe it in faith".  Really???  I should just believe everything that was taught to me because it's seen as "the truth"?  You reach a point in your life where you want to find out YOUR personal truth instead of what has handed down to you, and it may not necessarily be your particular truth and your revelation.  You won't know unless you live life and let your truth get revealed to you in the way its supposed to be.  I believe in guidance, but one can't teach me or spit to me truth that got revealed to them about HIS or HER own life.  Don't ever be afraid to research and question ANYTHING, including your existence.  If not, you'll be a legitimately confused fool adapting to anything anyone tells you.

There's no doubt that this Dusty guy will get an enormous amount of heat, probably even white heat for his views.  Once you all get out of your feelings, however, will you look at what he said objectively?  This was uncomfortable to me because of how truthful it was and that it took an Atheist to back up stuff that I've had convos with friends over for some time now.  We, as Black Christians, go to church every Sunday (even though it should be Saturdays if you really know your Bible but I digress) and we get all this Word, but we take it and run with it without putting two and two together in many instances.  This isn't an anti-Christian rant, but this is me simply stating that there's a lot more to this form of religion than what we were taught and it needs to be researched OBJECTIVELY.  We'll say it's "relationship before religion", but if that's the case, why do we label ourselves "Christians?"  It was truly relationship over religion, we wouldn't label ourselves anything except followers of the God that resides in us.  How are we worshipping the messenger (Jesus, Buddha, Muhammed, etc.) instead of the creator of the messenger?  Ever notice how Catholics worship Mary mores than Jesus himself?

I could go on and on about this highly sensitive subject, but I'll go for now.  This wasn't made to dissuade anyone from what they believe at all.  I must emphasize that.  This is just to inform people to read, research, and ask questions.  Do your homework and your history.  I'm going to leave you with one of the most venomous, yet historically accurate, hip-hop cuts ever recorded.  If you're scared, don't even push the play button.  This is for those who aren't afraid to explore and think about their history.  This is strictly for the open minded.  This is the infamous Ras Kass single, "Nature Of The Threat".  This is very powerful so be forewarned.  Until next time, hold it down folks!

Freedom Of Speech...Or Being An Idiot???

What's happening world?  This is Brandon, or BK, back with another dosage of social commentary about what's right, or wrong, in the world and my three cents on it all.  There was hardly more of a controversial story than the story of the on-air reporter that openly quit just after her tag about the legalization of marijuana in Alaska.  Just after she stated that she was an owner of a marijuana club in Alaska, she then proceeded to say that she would devote all of her energy into fairness and into the legalization of the very highly popular recreational ( and medicinal) drug.  What happened next was shocking, as she then uttered the words "Fuck it, I quit" on live television before storming out.  Once the camera got back on the news anchor, she was understandably confused and embarrassed while going into the next story.  Here's a look at the clip.




There have been people that have been heralding her as a "boss" and "that's how you leave a job".  To those people, I say, HOW STUPID DO YOU SOUND?????  This is NOT how you leave a job.  The first thing I thought about, besides how embarrassing that was as a media professional, was the fact that there are tons of young Black female graduates looking to pursue careers in media and broadcasting.  This should've been a complete slap in the face to those young ladies just trying to get out there and make their names known and accessible.  I know quite a few young Black ladies that have worked, or are working, very, very hard to make it in the media industry to have someone like this ratchet chick mess it up for them.  For KTVA-11, there may be a chance they may never hire a young Black reporter for quite some time because of this incident.

The next day, Charlo Greene posted a video about her stance on marijuana legalization.  Clearly, she's passionate about the subject and, while it's commendable that she's standing up for what she feels is right, her using a four-letter expletive to do so was crass and professionally uncalled for, but not just on one level.  Before I go any further, I'll let you check out the clip that she posted the next day.




After this was posted, she then called in to a radio station to explain her actions that day by saying that she didn't plan on saying 'fuck it', but that she did plan on going out in a big way for her cause. Honestly, I'm all about the legalization of it as well. Listen, as a man of oft-times controversy himself, I'm completely all for voicing what you feel is wrong and what needs to change. Anyone that knows me knows I'm all about that, but it could've been done with more class than was exhibited.  In a time where the media does a good enough job making us look like uneducated buffoons, lazy good-for-nothings that make tons of children, and drama-filled relationship having people, we don't need to further fuel the flames.  It would've been all fine and good if she would've just stated her case and did a classier resignation instead of being befuddled and resorting to a 'fuck it' on live television, which further puts into the minds of the white establishment, "black people have no class".

I'm far from a stuck-up, nose in the air, looking down at other people guy, but miss weed advocate could've handled that better.  She did apologize to all she offended, but in the future, if there's an issue that you feel strongly about, voice it, express it, but don't follow the standard that Ms. Greene set, at least not in a sensationalized manner.  That wasn't a "boss", that wasn't even empowering, that was being a fool.  That's all for now folks.  See all you guys and gals next week.

Suicide: The Silent Epidemic

Good day people!  Hope everyone's week has been at least tolerable.  Just hang in there a couple more days, then the weekend will be here.  Unless, of course, you're still working, then this doesn't apply to you at all.  Nevertheless, on with this week's social commentary, and this one is especially important.

This will be a very sensitive, yet very crucial, area that I dive into.  Lately, we've seen a disturbing spike in depression-related suicides, both from the famous to the not-so famous and average, everyday people.  Although  it has been a very alarming problem for quite a long time, we were hit with a sobering bolt of reality when iconic comedian Robin Williams was pronounced dead on August 10.  The cause of death was "asphyxiation due to suicide", or in other words, he hung himself.  Who would've thought one of the most beloved and most brilliant comics of any generation had that many demons that he felt life wasn't worth living anymore?  It's been somewhat known that Williams had been battling depression and addiction for the better part of twenty years, but most like myself figured that he had finally overcome his troubles and was primarily in a better place within himself.  However, we had no idea whatsoever that pain was still a big part of his life, especially with events that may or may not have led up to his subsequent saddening passing.  Reports are that his marriage was on the rocks, his sitcom, "The Crazy Ones", was cancelled, he had to sell his Napa Valley estate, memories of past financial woes that were becoming prevalent again, as well as being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.  With these factors, and likely others even if strictly all in his head, it's almost no wonder that this revered entertainer revealed an even more clear truth about himself: he was human.  What we fail to realize is that even the strongest of humans have breaking points, some more than others.  This poor man struggled with a mental disease that most judgmental and "religious" people will never understand or fathom, and that's the devil of depression.  We will continue to smile whenever movies such as "Good Will Hunting", "Hook", "Jumanji", and "Mrs. Doubtfire" are seen, but we also marvel at his brilliance and wonder if he still had more monumental works at his fingertips.

Unfortunately, another public figure decided her life as well a few weeks after this heartbreaking passing.  Former X-Factor finalist, and member of the group G.R.L., Simone Battle, ended her life at the age of twenty-five.  On September 6, the young singer was found hanging in her room in what was a complete and total shock to all of her family and friends.  According to friends, she was "excited where her career was going", but rumors of financial troubles surfaced not long after.  In this case, nobody had any indication with what she was struggling with on the inside.  Williams' problems had been known since the eighties as he was in counseling and therapy.  This perhaps is the most unsettling part of this scenario.  Most never knew that she had a deep depression issue.

Last week, the wrestling community was affected when former WCW, WWE, and New Japan star Sean O' Haire committed suicide in his home in South Carolina.  The former three-time WCW Tag Team Champion had been struggling with addiction and severe depression (see a pattern) leading up to his tragic demise.  After getting released by WWE, he had a modest career in New Japan Pro, then he tried his hand in the MMA world and even some acting.  After failed attempts in each avenue, he relegated back to South Carolina and opened his own barber shop.  For especially wrestlers, the fame, notoriety and riches associated with the profession comes with severe costs.  These wrestlers are willing to put their bodies on the line on an average of three hundred twenty days out of the year with no off season to perform and give the people their money's worth.  However, with Vince McMahon pretty much owning the entire business, if you get let go from his promotion, there's only the indies, or a new career choice.  In 2007, fellow wrestler Mike Awesome committed suicide in events that almost paralleled O' Haire's.  He went from big time star to real estate agent.  Other wrestlers such as The Renegade, Crash Holly, Chris Kanyon, and three Von Erich brothers all killed themselves due to severe bouts of depression.  Coupled with situations such as no notoriety and, in the case of Holly, pending divorce, already fragile mind states can have the ability to implode.

Throughout time, we've heard of MANY musicians that have taken their lives such as the aforementioned Simone Battle.  To greats such as Kurt Cobain and Phyllis Hyman to emerging stars such as underground hip-hop collective Pro Era's Capital $teez and Top Dawg (Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, SZA, and Ab-Soul) vocalist Amiri Joh, there's a price to pay for fame, and that's if they even wanted the fame associated with their gifts.

Now comes my rant.  For all those who look down upon those who are struggling with mental illness such as depression and/or addiction should really be ashamed of yourselves.  Sometimes it's not as easy as one would think to just 'talk themselves out of it".  There needs to be friends and support to help them with any issues that would be seen as alarming.  Recently there was a story coming out of the Orlando area about a fourteen year old that took his own life due to bullying from his classmates. Suicide and depression is REAL.  All of us know a family member, friend, or friend of a friend that has had depression issues to the point of suicidal tendencies.  Everyone does have strength to get them through situations, but what do you tell the man, woman, or child that is tired of going on?  What do you tell these people when they feel life has turned against them or that they're tired of fighting?  Some self righteous asshole will call them 'weak' or 'pathetic' and they need to 'get it together'.  Kudos to you for being strong, but chances are when that front door closes, and that mask or makeup comes off, there are issues that you may feel are over your head.  If your way of maintaining is turning to God or whomever your higher power is, more power to you.  Unfortunately, there are people that feel they need more than that, they need change, whatever the change may be.  In the case of Robin Williams, here was a man that had riches more than the average man, acclaimed fame, and loved all over the world, but still was tired of the mountains in his life, even if some of the mountains were in his own head.

As a person that has battled pretty intense bouts of depression in the past, the best help you can offer a person is words of encouragement, even if it's quite often, a NON-JUDGMENTAL ear, and continued affirmation that they have a place in this world and that they will never have to go through their struggles alone.  With that being said, some people are so deep in it, they can feel alone even with the best friends in the world assisting them.  Praying for them is good, but also start being the ears these people need.  You may be the one to save their lives if you're not too busy throwing the Bible at them.

To my people going through the struggles of depression and suicidal tendencies, my heart is with you.  I've been you.  Hang on a little longer because as crappy as life can be, you also have a purpose for being here. The hardest thing is the patience of your truth getting revealed to you. Things will get better for you in any situation you're in.  I do understand that there's a point where you hit that wall and you no longer just believe, you want the actual proof and the actual change.  Not just the whole 'one day it will all get better' speech that we all get sick to death of hearing day in and day out.  Sometimes we'll get so caught up in our present that the future looks so distant.  Again, I've been there and any person with a heart that doesn't forget from whence they came would totally get it and understand only with their own story perhaps.  Instead of constant preaching and "tough love', how about some hugs and some reaffirmations that their life is special and because their lives are special, they are special.  Celebrities can possess more money than most hard-working people and still dwell in the sea of hopelessness and desperation because as Biggie famously said in 1997, "Mo' Money, Mo Problems."  Of course it's easy to say to someone living paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet, on the verge of homelessness, unemployment benefits running out, and other financial woes that the rich people and celebs probably can't identify with or purposefully blocked out of their minds if they did come that period in their lives.

Sometimes we need to find reasons, or a reason, to live such as family, a child, a spouse, or  anything else that's impactful and bigger than us.  Whatever that reason is, hopefully we can focus on that which is bigger than the problem or the issues that are disabling our growth, in spite of this fucked up, judgmental, self righteous world.  However, to the souls of those who took their own lives, my prayers go out to the ones left behind.  My prayer is that these people have found the peace in the afterlife that this life didn't give them, and deep down, that's all we really want in this world and in our lives, peace.

That's all for this bit of commentary.  I definitely could go a lot further into this topic but I'll end it for now.  Before I go, I want to leave with some media for everybody reading and viewing.  The first is a stirring tribute Jimmy Fallon did for Robin Williams on his Tonight Show.




Here's a look at a video from Simone Battle.  Promising talent.




Here's a look at the career of the highly underrated Sean O' Haire




Lastly, here are some cuts from Pro Era member Joey Bada$$ and TDE member Ab-Soul with their heartfelt and very somber pieces dedicated to Steez and Joh respectively. The latter has been referred to as one of the most emotional pieces of hip-hop ever recorded. Rest In Peace to all that felt that they needed more than what this life handed them.