Category Archives: social consciousness

enlightenment, love, social consciousness

Solar Return

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“When I was young, I’m trying to tell you I was dying to get old

Dying to escape the chill when the weather was cold

When I graduated from school, diploma dying to hold

Dying to sell a million records so I could travel the globe

But now I’m dying…” (b) – When My Day Comes

When I wrote that verse in the year 2000 and up until now, that’s one of the realest rhymes I had ever written (the entire verse). It was meant to be rapped off of Nas’ song “Purple” off of the mixtape titled “The Lost Tapes”. The hook went, “When the day comes along and I die, don’t cry for me.” It was both a literal and figurative explanation as to what I was experiencing in life from adolescence until that point. It detailed my desire to grow older and reach maturity; when the weather reached a specific temperature, my desire was to seek warmth to escape Jack Frost; being anxious to graduate from both high school and college in pursuit of life’s new adventures; and during my rap career, my desire to be successful and reap the rewards of being a well renowned artist.  But taking into account that with the inhalation of every breath I was literally dying, which is true in all aspects.  From the time we exit the womb of our mothers and come out of the fetal position, the stop watch begins for our eventual meeting with the Grim Reaper. It is our hope to live long and fulfilling lives; however circumstances beyond our control can extinguish those dreams and thoughts prematurely.  At the point when those bars were written, and at many points in my life, I was at the crossroads between heaven and hell.

Have you ever been dehydrated and thirsty? Just think about that feeling when it pertains to life and your existence. Just like attempting to quench that thirst, think about constantly wondering what your purpose is in life.  For all your intellect and accomplishments, you feel empty and unsatisfied.  As my Solar Return Day arrives I am ravaged with fatigue. I grow tired of this existence and seek more from life. In the past when my birthday arrived I would celebrate with libations and endless partying. The celebration wouldn’t stop until I stated the festivities were over.  As I’ve grown older, I interrogate myself; trying to ascertain if my new found growth and frequency elevation coincide with society today. For all the family and friends I’ve accumulated over the years, I struggle to understand why I feel so alone.  As the saying goes, some people are here for a reason, others for a season.  For all the words spoken, the lack of action proves paramount.  In scripture, Solomon asked the Lord thy God for wisdom and was granted that and so much more because with wisdom comes sound decision making which leads to success and abundance.  Since I was old enough to read and understand the Bible that’s all I’ve ever prayed for. We all crave the spotlight; the riches that comes with being atop of our chosen professions; acceptance and respect from our peers.  I too desire those things but for different reasons. My sole purpose now is to enlighten those within my reach. I’d be lying if I didn’t want to be popular and well known. But I hunger for that only to use it for the purposes of helping others; no more.  I’ve hung out with drug dealers and trigger chokers; taken an oath of silence and vowed never to reveal the secrets of the compass & square; and to that end the void has grown more massive between myself and the souls surrounding me.  And for those that think my efforts are self-serving, they are far from knowing the essence of me.

From the posting of this blog, I will have 86,400 seconds to celebrate the sun and earth aligning in the precise position which summoned the exit from my mother’s womb. And for those now forty-three (43) years, there has been an ongoing, raging battle for my soul. And during that time, there have been junctures that were the determining factor between life and death. In college, it was Monica Paige who first saved me from the brink of destruction; she will never know how much I appreciate and cherish our friendship. She was the first to display what being a “friend” was all about. Then it was my cousin Byron Kendrick. After the death of his brother, I was charged with ensuring that anything he needed, support, an attentive ear, a helping hand, my duty was to be there for him. But as the calendar changed from year to year, it was more that I needed him than vice-versa.  Unbeknownst to him, he kept me alive; every time I wanted to give up, I’d think of him and what he endured losing his older sibling, and didn’t want to disappoint him by no longer being there. I had to be an example as to why you shouldn’t give up even when the odds are stacked against you.  Lastly, my daughter is my shining light in this chasm of darkness.  I so desperately want her to achieve greater heights than I was ever able to.  I don’t want her dreams to be deterred by the opinions of others.  She needs her father and I need her to keep me going.  If you were to follow me on social media, were to read my previous blogs and posts, and didn’t truly understand my persona, I know it could appear that I’m standoffish and conceited. That’s never my intent.  My sole purpose is be a better person and share whatever information I can to enhance the lives of others; nothing more.  Life, like the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, ebbs and flows.  High tide is signified by the elation of life’s successes; low tide is symbolized by your failures and inability to overcome them.  I only exist to spread love and information; not to be better than anyone as I struggle to be a better man daily while staring at the reflection in the mirror.  September 15th to many is just another day; in some aspects I began feeling that way also. Despite my best efforts I didn’t think my voice was ever being heard. However, through my existence, if I’m able to change one opinion; get one person to think and decide that they too would like to make a difference in society, then my effort wasn’t in vain.  I’ve made my share of mistakes; in my quest to be the perfect man, son, father, husband, employee, etc., I discovered my desire for perfection only magnified my faults; which in turn has made me a better person.  My promise to those of you reading this, the font that jumps off the page of my writings; my voice heard via the internet; anything I ever do will be 100% authentic, genuine and sincere.  I have no one to impress; I live for those that I’ve previously mentioned, honor those that want the same in return and respect those that aspire to change the world. I love you all! Happy Birthday to me.  I will now have the song below play on an endless loop as I sip cognac and plot on how to further my growth and development. Listen to the instruments as the song reaches its climax; the melodic tone of the featured artist voice as she closes. “Smoking Champagne!” Namaste!  “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

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enlightenment, social consciousness

Reality Versus The Revolution

A few weeks ago, an up and coming, prominent online publication solicited its viewers/readers, offering them an opportunity to write for their periodical. The criteria for the position included it being non-paying, the expectation of writing daily posts on sports and sports entertainment [minimum of five (5) stories daily], and that the writers social media spaces be professional at ALL time.  I submitted my application and advised the company from the beginning of my beliefs and everything I was attempting to accomplish with my personal and business endeavors.  In response, I received correspondence thanking me for my inquiry but to maintain a professional decorum with their corporate sponsors, someone of my thought process would not be beneficial to their growth and expansion.  And therein lies the rub. When does standing by your principles hinder you from enjoying opportunities that could advance your career aspirations or sustain life?

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And thus the quandary, which has been the problem that has been posed to those that are willing to make life altering decisions. And many times those sacrifices are unheralded and unrewarded. Revolutions are a cause of individuals or infrastructures being fed up with the status quo; tiring of being neglected, abused and taken advantage of.  It’s the yearning for a society or ideal that represents fairness on all levels.  In scripture it’s the exodus of the Hebrews by Moses from Egypt; it’s the thirteen (13) colonies rebelling from the tyranny of England; Nat Turner leading the rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia against their oppressors; the Montgomery bus boycott and the Civil Rights Movement. The smallest gesture can make the largest impact.  Who would’ve thought Tommie Smith’s and John Carlos’ singular motion of raising their fists symbolizing “Black Power” would’ve endured the test of time and forever be the signature moment of the 1968 Summer Olympic Games; the death of Crispus Attucks which sparked the beginning of the Revolutionary War; the deportation of Elian Gonzalez and the discord it created in the South Florida area.  It was these moments and many more that galvanized the populous and enabled the uprising of consciousness at any given time.  And with September 8th looming, being dubbed as Black Out Monday, the Fast Food Strike beginning on September 4th and the outcry of racial fairness of all kinds as a result of the death of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, an awakening has begun in the United States Republic and has been felt around the globe.  During the World Cup this year past, demonstrations were held as a result of the homelessness levels rising in the country of Brazil to make accommodations for tourists and disenfranchising of their own countrymen; there has been the Occupy Wall Street movement and many others.  The world has grown intolerant of those in positions of prominence manipulating the public like Geppetto controlling Pinocchio at his whim. The time has arrived where the people have decided to fight back; be it wages, class, race or religion.

Albeit an excellent opportunity to get exposure for my brand and other endeavors, I regret not the choices that I’ve made to become the person you see before you today.  I understand missed opportunities are a consequence of going against conventional thinking and trailblazing new paths.  The question must be asked, as a result of the incidents that I’ve previously named, what were the outcomes? The results aren’t always visible at the onset, it’s merely a matter of when people are pushed to their limits, are they willing to stand up for what’s tried and true. The threat in and of itself is enough to make a difference.  If you gave your spouse an ultimatum to treat you better or face the possibility of appearing in court for divorce proceedings, would things change, even for an unverifiable period of time? If you were the top employee at your company and informed the adminstration you were preparing to leave for a better opportunity; would they be complicit to your demands of fairer treatment and a competitive salary?  Workers demanding equal compensation and apartment tenants demanding adequate housing to fulfill their needs; it’s all relative. The difference doesn’t necessary come as a result of the action; it comes as a result of being willing to take said action. Though we live in the Information Age, where all the data we need is merely fingertips away, it appears as if the “REVOLUTION” will not be televised, as “some” people aren’t willing to put themselves in positions where taking a risk is better for society at large.  Be willing to make a difference!  “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

education, enlightenment, social consciousness

Miranda

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A birthmark is a benign irregularity on the skin which is present at birth or appears shortly after birth, usually in the first month. They can occur anywhere on the skin. There are methods of removal which include cosmetic surgery or vanishing crèmes, however in a person’s subconscious, whenever they look at the location where the mark once existed, it’ll be a constant reminder of a blemish which caused an imperfection.  To a person of color, as am I, our melanated skin is a lifetime souvenir that cannot be returned to its original owner.  It’s the sole identifying trait that differentiates us from the rest of society.  To the ill-informed, most believe that the presence of melanin relates to skin, hair and eye pigmentation. However, unbeknownst to a majority of the masses, melanin contains within it the entire electromagnetic spectrum; all the colors of the rainbow.  Our exposure to the sun recharges us; supplying us with a natural ability to manufacture vitamins like Niacin and Vitamin D; and on a spiritual level, an active pineal gland (3rd Eye) secretes melatonin which creates melanin.  Although many of us enjoy our inherited qualities, a large portion of society “hates the skin that I’m in” and have displayed their displeasure over the course of time.  The inclusion of self-hatred, whereby people of color are psychologically programmed to have a dislike, distain and distrust for their own race (i.e. the Willie Lynch syndrome) magnifies our circumstance and makes it all the more difficult to cope during these trying times.

“White privilege (or white skin privilege) is a term for societal privileges, existing in predominantly white societies, that benefit white people beyond what is commonly experienced by non-white people in the same social, political, or economic circumstances. The term denotes both obvious and less obvious unspoken advantages that white persons may not recognize they have, which distinguishes it from overt bias or prejudice. These include cultural affirmations of one’s own worth; presumed greater social status; and freedom to move, buy, work, play, and speak freely. The concept of white privilege also implies the right to assume the universality of one’s own experiences, marking others as different or exceptional while perceiving oneself as normal. It can be compared to and/or combined with the concept of male privilege.”  The lesson that should be learned and reinforced to people of color in relation to the death of Mike Brown (Ferguson, Missouri; unarmed black male youth killed by police officer Darren Wilson) is that “your skin is your sin.” I’ve been disappointed by the comments on social media which in many instances state that “racism exists, there’s nothing that can be done about it” or “But really, I fault in the parenting of each one of the individuals I just spoke of (Mike Brown and Kajieme Powell)! Parenting consists of teaching kids right from wrong, respecting authority, hard work, etc…! I know one thing that’s a fact, if each one of these kids respected authority, it don’t happen…” In “my” opinion, those comments are irresponsible on many levels.  True, racism is the elephant in the room that no one wishes to discuss; the ruling class is unwilling to make amends for the past and are reluctant to rectify the wrongs of yesteryear by providing “significant” initiatives that provide people of color an opportunity to appear on equal footing on “all” levels.  Secondly, teaching your child morals, values, respecting authority and the importance of hard work have nothing to do with the fact that as an individual under the Constitution of the United States, each of us has a right to “due process.”  In the case of Mike Brown, he was denied his Fourteenth (14th) Amendment Right defined in the first section and states that no state can “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”  And as with many of our brothers and sisters which have been struck down by the “long arm” of the Criminal Justice System without justification, we’re “all” entitled to an opportunity to appear before a jury of our “peers” to be either found guilty or exonerated of any wrong doing.  Many of you reading this won’t ever have the specter of being watched or followed in convenience or department stores under the suspicion of stealing merchandise; you don’t have to worry about being apprehensive when the police abruptly drive behind your vehicle, palms sweating as you peer through your rear view mirror observing the officer call in your license plate information and subsequently pull you over under the pretense of “your vehicle fits the description of a (blank) in progress!”  Even as I explain this, you can never fully understand what being “Black” means. To many it’s a source of pride; to others, a badge of shame.  It means being looked upon as a second (2nd), sometimes third (3rd) class citizen.  It means be overlooked for jobs when you know you’re distinctly qualified and the person hired doesn’t have the expertise or experience; it means working twice as hard to receive the accolades of an individual barely doing enough to get by. It’s unfortunate but real.

“I ain’t did nothing/Nobody sweat me/They just won’t me, go on with my life/But I’mma protect me /Can’t let them stress me/So let me go or read me my rights!” Scarface Presents… The Product “Read”

And lastly, as evidenced by the incident concerning Ray Allen and his family where several white teens came into his home in the middle of the night, causing Allen’s wife who was asleep with their children to fear for her life, and police not bringing forth charges characterizing it as a “silly prank”, many of you won’t ever have to worry about hearing this statement, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”  Let’s be honest, if the situation involved Black youths, they would’ve been detained, arrested, sentenced and forced to live with the remnants of a “Scarlet Letter” on their records (adjudication withheld or conviction) which would mar them for the remainder of their lives. The Miranda Rights were created in 1966 as a result of the United States Supreme Court case of Miranda v. Arizona. The Miranda warning is intended to protect the suspect’s Fifth Amendment right to refuse to answer self-incriminating questions.  The Miranda rights do not go into effect until after an arrest is made. The officer is free to ask questions before an arrest, but must inform the suspect that the questioning is voluntary and that he or she is free to leave at any time. The answers to these questions are admissible in court.  In many cases you don’t have an opportunity to have them read as in the recent incident involving Charles Belk, a television and film producer who was mistakenly arrested by Beverly Hills police who stated, “Within an evening, I was wrongly arrested, locked up, denied a phone call, denied explanation of charges against me, denied ever being read my rights, denied being able to speak to my lawyer for a lengthy time, and denied being told that my car had been impounded…..All because I was misidentified as the wrong ‘tall, bald head, black male,’ … ‘fitting the description.’” And with that prize comes many times being handcuffed, detained and ordered to sit on the curb as onlookers pass in their cars judging and perhaps saying to themselves “Their kind are always in trouble.” And when proven to be in error, the person victimized will often times never receive an apology. Do I believe there’s a way to overcome the racial barriers built by society that hinders our progress? Of course I do! With my success, I hope to enlighten and empower others to overcome those same hurdles.  However, as NWA so amply stated in their song “Niggaz4Life”, and this is true, unfortunate and a sad reality, no matter the measure of success, until things change the lyrics exacerbates  the following, “You’re a nigga ’til you die/If you’re a poor nigga, then you’re a poor nigga/If you’re a rich nigga, you’re a rich nigga/But you never stop being a nigga/And if you get to be educated, you’s an educated nigga.”  Damn… Something has to change. It is our responsibility to not sit idly and elicit that change. “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

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education, enlightenment, social consciousness, social media

Shh…! Quiet! Class Is In Session!

I’mma drop this gem and keep it moving. In the South Florida area, and much like many areas in the nation, yesterday was the first day of school. Excitement began anew as we sent our young explorers to the care of those charged with assisting to lay the foundation for their lives moving forward. But let me give you something to think about, and I may be wrong so I can be straightened. Have you ever thought how attending school strips our children of their individuality? It appears as though school is a conduit which creates motion turning the wheel that supports the corporate structure of this country. Don’t get me wrong, I believe education is paramount and the thirst for knowledge is essential in being able to survive the cruelties this world has to offer. But is standardized testing a measure of a child’s intelligence. It appears as though students are being groomed to pass a test (or series of tests) and are not prepared for the trials of everyday living upon completing their formal education. At the time of my entry into college, my SAT/ACT scores weren’t phenomenal but I was still able to get a “piece” of scholarship, graduate near honors and still accomplish great things.  Uniforms save money but hinders creativity and competition. Sh*t, who didn’t want to be freshest on the first day of school; showing off the latest fashion or the hottest trend. Now the only differentiation a person has is with their shoes and/or accessories, maybe.

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If I provided you with these demographics what would you think: bells, gates & walls, one or few unlocked doors for access, timed schedule for activities, a cafeteria, drab-looking facades, cramped quarters, socialization mentality, authoritarian structure, dress code, emphasis on silence & order, negative reinforcement, walking in lines, loss of individual autonomy, abridged freedoms, no input in decision making, set times enforced for walking, eating, etc.; given all that, where would you think your child (my child) would be? If you were to say prison or school, you’d be right on both accounts. Wardens are equivalent to administrators; there’s a high inmate/student to guard/teacher ratio; and instead of lockdowns, there’s lockdown drills. This dissertation is in no way an attempt to discount the efforts of teachers, as they have the responsibility of educating students based on the curriculum they’re implored to instruct. It’s the system itself that needs to be revamped. People attend schools for ex-number of years, face enormous debt as a result of loans and then, if they’re lucky to find a job, work in an industry that suppresses their creative desires and repay those loans at a high interest rate. All the while, especially during their formative years, any thoughts of being entrepreneurs or innovators are being shredded with the sentiments shared by both parents and teachers alike, “Finish high school, go to college or get a trade, then get a job!” Is that living or slavery? What made individuals so unique in the days of yesteryear were their abilities to be sound in all aspects of life; penmanship, the studies of the sciences, philosophy, being proficient in world history and culture, which made many of our predecessors soundly astute. And despite all I’ve written, our children still have an opportunity to break the cycle destined for them if they continue to follow protocol. Like all things, it begins at home first. Equip you child with the weapons (information/knowledge) to question everything being presented to them. Be involved in their development every step of the way; ensure that they’re being challenged and their abilities are being enhanced. And lastly, encourage individualism; not saying that your child shouldn’t be sociable or be a “team player”, but as mentioned before by this writer, we were born to stand out and be from amongst the crowd by our thoughts, talents & ideals; so support that. Keep in mind that prior to the fame, success and glory, they must capitulate (Stephen A. Smith word) to the norms of society until they establish their own brand, have control of their own business and have complete sovereignty over their own assets.  All our lives we’ve been taught to avoid incarceration as it’s a detriment to anything you want to accomplish in life; so why are we subjecting our children to the psychological constraints of an educational system which in some instances has been proven to be non-beneficial. “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

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education, enlightenment, social consciousness, social media, spirituality

Invisible 0

There’s this thought that a large portion of society is oblivious to what’s taking place in the world; essentially going about their lives unconcerned with events taking place around them.  According to those who follow the teachings of the Five Percent Nation, 85% of the people are blind to the knowledge of themselves and God.  10% of the people know the truth, but teach a lie for their personal gain.  This would include religious leaders and the governments of the earth that deceive and mislead the majority of the world through the use of mass media outlets and other forms of communication.  The remaining 5% are those that do not subscribe to the teachings of the 10% and know the truth.  Alas, many won’t admit they fall into the 85 percentile because they want to be perceived as knowledgeable of all things and use their discretion when discussing an array of subject matters.  However, when pressed on their belief systems, you’ll soon discover that those who wish to separate themselves from the larger majority cannot do so because they’re entrenched in positions where their convictions won’t allow them to see humanity in any other fashion than what’s been embedded in them.  Removing the veil that blinds them from the truth is a difficult task because those ideals have been passed down for generations.  Anything new shocks the conscious; for the fear of change means rebuilding principles that were proven to be false. So to them life is about awaking each morning, preparing for work or school, taking care of loved ones, earning some semblance of an income and enjoying life’s pleasures before turning in for a night’s sleep; a recurring cycle that only changes with the proclamation of life (birth of a loved one) or death (death of a loved one).  I’ve titled this series of blogs “Invisible” for several reasons.  The word invisible is defined as impossible to see; hidden; not easily noticed or unrecorded statistically.  For those of you that study religion, you are taught to have faith; trust in the deity you worship and be assured that by following the ordinances issued in scripture, you’ll be absolved from sin and granted favor.  This belief is a contributing force that governs the human psyche and provides a sense of purpose.  God is in and all around you; controller of all things and the master of all mysteries.  Then there are the ones amongst us who remain shrouded in secrecy. When one speaks of a “secret society”, dare I say the Illuminati; a calculating elite that has intentions of controlling the planet, the same premise can be applied.  They too are invisible; and when spoken of, the hypothesis is dismissed like a plot to a James Bond movie.  No matter the evidence, the masses can’t fathom a group of individuals who can accumulate enough power to hold the populous at bay like marionettes on the puppeteer’s strings.  Amidst that speculation, it’s my job to tear down that tapestry and reveal to you what’s truly happening in the world around you. Your skepticism is meaningless when supported by the truth.  “The People must believe that they are not manipulated in order for them to be manipulated effectively.”  Keep this in mind as I provide information for this series,   “The attorneys for Fox, owned by media baron Rupert Murdock, successfully argued the First Amendment gives broadcasters the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on the public airwaves.” “On February 14, 2003, a Florida Appeals court ruled there is absolutely nothing illegal about lying, concealing or distorting information by a major press organization. The court reversed the $425,000 jury verdict in favor of journalist Jane Akre who charged she was pressured by Fox Television management and lawyers to air what she knew and documented to be false information. The ruling basically declares it is technically not against any law, rule, or regulation to deliberately lie or distort the news on a television broadcast.”

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Let us begin and set the foundation for what’s to come.  There are three (3) places in the world that doesn’t have an allegiance to any nation and does not pay taxes.  These three (3) city-states include Washington D.C., Inner City of London and Vatican City. A city-state is an independent or autonomous entity, not administered as a part of another local government, whose territory consists of a city and possibly its surrounding territory. A city-state can also be defined as a central city and its surrounding villages, which together follow the same law, have one form of government, and share languages, religious beliefs, and ways of life. Historically these included famed cities like Rome, Athens and Carthage, but today only a handful of sovereign city-states exist, with some disagreement as to which states should and should not be considered city-states.  Vatican City was founded in 1929 and is not a considered apart of Rome or the country of Italy.  The city has its own newspaper, flag, prison and military (the Swiss Guard).  The second (2nd) is London’s Inner City.  It became a sovereign state in 1694 under King William III of Orange.  By 1812, Nathan Rothschild crashed the English stock market and was able to wrestle away control of the Bank of England.  The city-state of London is the world’s financial center and is the wealthiest square mile on the planet.  It houses most of the banks of the world, has its own courts, laws, flag and police force.  It isn’t apart of greater London, England or the British Commonwealth and again pays no taxes.  It’s headquarters to worldwide British Freemasonry and for the Crown (which is the corporate city-state of London). The Crown is headed by a ring of thirteen (13) ruling families which include the Rothschild’s, Warburg’s, Oppenheimer’s and Schiff’s.   The last is the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.), located on ten (10) square miles of land.  It also has its own flag and constitution.  Each of these city-states has an obelisk at its center; the Washington Monument in D.C.; Cleopatra’s Needle in London; and the Vatican Obelisk in St. Peter’s Square.  Each of the “Empire of Cities” represents a specific purpose; Washington D.C. (military); London (finances) and Vatican City (religion).  This triumvirate is responsible for everything that takes place around the world and controls our lives; pay attention to the news as one or all are frequently featured and discussed.  This is only the beginning as to what’s to come from this series of writings and we unveil truth.  It is my hope that you find them informative and it awakens your curiosity as to what’s happening on the globe.  This is but the appetizer; the meal is forthcoming. “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

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enlightenment, entertainment, social consciousness, social media

Amongst The Crowd

Look! Yeah, look over there! You see them trying to be different?  Who do they think they are? The nerve!!! They have the audacity to go against conventional wisdom, challenge authority and think outside the box. All of our lives we’ve been taught what to do, think, eat, watch, read and listen to. Now here they come with their blogs, posts, uplifting photos; talks of abandoning religion, critical thinking, sacred geometry, life in other galaxies and the “powers that be” trying to rule the world.  Yeah right! Ain’t nobody got time for that sh*t! Besides, I have bills to pay, parties to attend and the season finale of “Power” came on last night and it left me in suspense. What’s so special about being different?  If I sit right here, go with the flow, everything will be fine.  I have a job where my superiors applaud my work ethic.  (Oh, that’s right! Haven’t gotten a raise in a minute)   Well, at least when I go out I wear the latest trends; I be killin’ ‘em! (Whoa! That person’s wearing the same outfit as me). I’mma go home and watch this ol’ television and catch up on these reality shows. Did I hear about what? They passed what law? There’s a reduction in our pension fund? The government did what? How can that be? Wow…. I just didn’t know.

 

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For most of the general public, that first paragraph explains their way of life; a never ending cycle of complacency; sometimes spanning generations. People figuring they can get by remaining status quo.  When you hear someone labeled as a “black sheep”, it automatically gives off a negative connotation.  That person’s rebellious; they’re an outcast amongst their family and friends; a loner.  Why can’t that person just be different and unwilling to follow the proverbial crowd?   If the quote, “Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?” is true, then why when a person ventures to do so they’re mocked and ridiculed?  Isn’t that hypocritical? Dare I say, when a person follows their own path, it appears to be the one of MOST resistance.  Most people are fearful of change; therefore they feel uncomfortable when you do.  Life is ever changing, ever evolving.  So when you show signs of physical, emotional and spiritual growth, it appears as though the people involved in your life are reluctant to allow you to reach new heights and plateaus.  They’re so terrified that you’ll leave them behind, that they’ll do everything in their power to hold on; even sabotaging your efforts to continue your journey.  You can’t allow that to hinder your progress; as we’re all here for a primary purpose.  Some people are willing to seize the day; discover and walk in their “divine purpose.”  While others play the role of sidekick; following whomever has the “juice” for the moment, living of their achievements.  There’s no risk involved, yet they lie awake well into the early morning hours wondering why their lives seem empty, unfulfilled and their souls yearn for more.  It’s frivolous for me to belabor the point as to why you should go your way and follow your own destiny.  It’s cliché ish.  However, from the time you reach an age to apply rational thought and distinguish what role (leader or follower) you want to play in this thing called life, you’ve had the power to control all things.  You don’t need books like “The Secret”, or watch videos imploring “Positive Affirmations” to encourage and prod you to take the necessary steps to change your life.  It’s merely a matter of being courageous enough to take the risk, brave enough to break the constraints of being a part of the crowd and being willing at times to go it alone. And I do mean alone in every sense of the word. Everyone won’t share your drive and passion; your mind sometimes will be riddled with doubt; there will be days in which you feel unwilling to persevere; where it appears the whole world’s against you, what you stand for and what you’re trying to accomplish.  But this I assure you; if you’re willing to endure the challenges and hurdle every obstacle, the rewards are enormous.  “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

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The Whole Truth; So Help Me God II – The Emancipation of Free Speech

1 Comment

I guess at some point I’ll write the blog called “Riddle Me This!”  Until then, there are more “pressing” matters that need to be addressed.  The look you see as the thumbnail photo is usually reserved for Stephen A Smith’s cohost Skip Bayless.  The expression appears when Bayless mentions that LeBron James doesn’t possess the “clutch gene”, Tim Tebow deserves another shot in the NFL or that “Tiago Splitter” is the glue that holds the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs together.  Now the picture is the appearance of a man who is defeated.  A once mighty warrior in the realm of sports media, forced to bow before something much greater than him. The court of public opinion strikes again.  At the desk of one of ESPN’s signature shows, First Take, he’s confrontational, unapologetic, boisterous and forthcoming.  Before lambasting a guest on the set, ridiculing a player for their performance or speaking as an analyst at the location of a big event, his words are often times measured and calculated.  But then the Ray Rice domestic violence incident transpired; and subsequently a suspension was administered.  And being paid to opine on such issues, he was asked to discuss his thoughts concerning this topic.  And though he had expressed similar feelings in the past, this time the backlash was too severe to avoid the blisters associated with the inferno his statements caused. Smith committed the ultimate of sins; the statement trifecta: domestic violence; gender; race.  Why race?  That’ll be explained throughout the proceedings.  If you’re unfamiliar with the Ray Rice story click this link: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10484945/ray-rice-baltimore-ravens-knocked-fiancee-unconscious-altercation

Exhibit A:

Now this post isn’t to play the role of role Stephen A’s public defender, because he isn’t entirely on trial. His statements and the rights to free speech are.  So before we get started, let’s define some of the language and evidence that will be brought to the court’s attention. 1) The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights; 2) provocation – defined as the action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately; 3) we can all the agree that a large populous of society, and at times our own culture dislikes people of color, 4) “The Black woman is the most unprotected, unloved woman on earth… She is the only flower on earth that grows unattended and not watered.”  Before we begin, let’s give some background about the physical defendant. He was hired by ESPN as a NBA analyst to replace David Aldridge in 2004.  (I like David Aldridge; does a great job on TNT/NBA TV) In August 2005, he started hosting a daily hour-long show on ESPN called “Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith.” After the show was cancelled due to comments Smith made about the MVP voting that were deemed racist in January 2007, he primarily concentrated on basketball, serving again as an analyst. So it was well known that the defendant was a controversial figure, willing to provide his outlook on any discussion. With that being established and understood, let’s proceed.  Below you will find Mr. Smith’s comments in response to the NFL announcing the suspension of Rice for a period of two (2) games.

Exhibit B:

As you can see in Exhibit B, his sentiments were similar to those pertaining to the issue involving former NFL player Chad Johnson and his then wife Evelyn Lozada (Exhibit A). Throughout, the defendant voiced his disdain for men who assault women; even coming to the conclusion that if any of his family members were involved, he would have to practice restraint to avoid being disciplined by his employer.  (Ironic) However, when it came to his statements about provocation by a woman, and methods to prevent such incidents from occurring, the slope became icy and slippery.  That’s when the mob formed armed with pitch forks and torches began surrounding the headquarters’ of ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, and the cyber sphere became ablaze.

Exhibit C:

These comments essentially started the ball rolling and lead to Smith issuing an apology the following day via Twitter.  As the hours passed from the time of the incident to his next appearance on the show, people had time to settle in, let the comments linger and marinate, and what was once an afterthought; perhaps a perceived slip of the tongue, a misunderstood series of statements, had now grown legs and overshadowed the Rice story.  His proclamation drew the ire of women all over including this Facebook poster that stated the following, “To All of these people (primarily men) who are coming to the defense of Stephen A, ask yourself this question: ‘if it were your daughter being dragged out of an elevator by a man (a football player, no less), would you still be so inclined to play Captain Save an Idiot???’” It also led to an outcry of pro-Black advocates and radical empowerment groups coming out in support of Black women.  “Stephen A. Smith when being told that he offended Black people (examples – appearance; character; involvement in offenses that result in jail time): ‘I don’t give a damn what anybody thinks!’  Stephen, when being told that he offended White people: ‘I am truly, truly sorry.’  That’s the difference between being your own boss and being a corporate puppet.  Others are always telling you what you can and cannot say.” – Dr. Boyce Watkins

Exhibit D:

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As you can see, Smith was getting it on all fronts.  Thus, far the only people “I’ve” seen come to his defense are Whoopi Goldberg, with her statements as a host on the daily talk show, The View, and the average Black male. All of which have drawn the same conclusion; the violence isn’t being condoned, however please acknowledge that the female plays a role in determining if the situation escalates further.

Exhibit E:

Exhibit F:

As you can see by the example in Exhibit E, as defined, provocation was illustrated by the character Juanita in the movie Dead Presidents.  This led to a reaction from Anthony which “may” have been prevented if she had told him the truth upon his return from Vietnam.  This is but an example; an isolated incident.  No two (2) situations are the same.  Without wasting the court’s time, can it be agreed upon that violence is an unnecessary chain of events that occur as a result of one or both individuals being unable to control their emotions. No one is deserving of abuse; especially a women, who society places on a pedestal as fragile as the most elegant china.  These are the questions being asked by men since this “news” of Smith’s one week suspension from the network began garnering attention: Are there no situations that can be considered inappropriate provocation (that is more than just words) in which a man would be justified in hitting a woman (without being excessive)?  Does size, strength or aggressiveness matter? How many blows should he take before resulting to a physical defense?  Because even under all those circumstances, a man is not justified in retaliating for his own safety. Other comments include (paraphrasing): “Now I know just like each of you know, whether through an experience of your own or someone you know, that sometimes in the heat of the moment and during heated exchanges, there are women who continue to exasperate the situation by getting in his face, pushing him, slapping him, spitting in his face, blocking and preventing him from walking away, and even punching him sometimes; whether it’s in the face, chest, arm, back, etc. Sometimes even charging extreme rants like insinuating that that man’s kid is not his. That’s provoking.” The poster continued, “TV lets y’all think it’s ok to slap him if he hurts you (emotionally and mentally). And for those that don’t agree with that I implore you to explain how you expect someone to maintain their cool in those situations….when you didn’t? I think it’s ridiculous that he had to apologize AND was suspended, because he simply utilized his so called ‘1st Amendment right’, and stated something that’s factual and can actually be taken as advice to possibly prevent any heated disagreement or verbal argument, from turning into that physical and harsh reaction known as domestic violence.” And still one more male poster states, “C’mon we all know that woman who does this. That woman who jumps in her man’s face, cusses him, taps him on the chin, calls him a ‘fuck nigga’ and when he tries to leave the situation actually blocks the door to prevent him from leaving the volatile situation possibly slapping him or checking that chin while advising that “he ain’t gone do shit”. Now dare I ask is he too being provoked? Does that brother have grounds to restrain her? Does he have the right to defend himself? I have always been taught to keep your hands to yourself. It’s ok to have a heated discussion but you take it to a different level when step in a person’s personal space and when you do that you have to take responsibility for the part you play in whatever happens next. Earlier I stated that it is two sides to every story but honestly is actually three… y’all know the rest.”  We live in a different time.  This isn’t the 1800s when chivalry was appreciated by women and men “supposedly” restrained themselves from striking them.  I guess that’s why there are movies like “Think Like A Man” where one can escape from the real world, and fantasies can be played out over the course of 120 minutes.

The issue to me concerning this case has always been the ability for Smith to voice his opinion.  He’s paid a high salary to not only provide analysis, but to be controversial as well.  Former ESPN First Take contributor Rob Parker was fired by his then employer for making contentious comments about Washington Redskins’ quarterback Robert Griffin III.  Parker’s comments were no different than those being held in barbershops, at barbeques, on porches and at water coolers everywhere amongst people of color upon finding out about RG3’s lifestyle.  For that, Parker was dismissed.  See Exhibit G.

Exhibit G:

I ask that my client (the First Amendment) be released on the grounds that world has been turned upside down by political correctness.  Tony Dungy, (former Super Bowl winning head coach) who is well-known for being a highly religious man and is against gay marriage based on those beliefs, was forced to issue an apology for speaking candidly about being unwilling to draft Michael Sam (the first openly gay player in the NFL – drafted by the St. Louis Rams) due to the attention and possible disturbance it would bring to the ball club.  What did they expect him to say? If you were familiar with his stance on issues such as those, then his response shouldn’t have been surprising.  Listen to Kanye West’s statement (Exhibit H). Many people would be offended by his words and feel he doesn’t have the right to make that declaration; “I’m a GOD.”  And as he eloquently articulated, would you rather that he calls himself a “Nigga or Gangsta, as a opposed to a God?” As in some instances, even amongst ourselves, we don’t view ourselves any higher than those negative connotations.  What about my photo depicting Jesus Christ being drunk and placed on the cross (Exhibit I). To me it’s humorous/I’m talking laugh out loud funny; reflecting a lighter side of life and taking a poke at religion as a whole.  However, practicing Christians may find the photo offensive and ask that it be removed.  But under the First Amendment I have a right to freedom of expression. And because you find something distasteful doesn’t mean I have to placate to your wishes.  I have a right to my opinion; as do you.  And in the end, we can agree to disagree.  But I have a voice.  I’m disappointed in Stephen A. for one reason.  He champions himself as a man of principle.  Willing to press the issue when necessary and challenge the establishment when need be.  I’m unaware of his financial situation, and of course it’s easy for me to say sitting on the comforts of my couch (see free speech again) but if I were him, I would quit.  He’s talented enough to find another job as he has worked for Fox Sports in the past.  But if you’re gonna pay me to provide an honest assessment of any situation and would like me cater to specific demographic (let’s be real here), then you can’t cut my legs from up under me for voicing what’s “real” to me.  That humble pie is difficult to swallow, especially when you’re forced to do so and go against everything you stand for.  So as the crowd gathers in the arena against both free speech and Stephen A, the prosecution is like a wrestler bouncing from ring rope to ring rope, cupping their ear trying to get the crowd hyped before a startling comeback from defeat, You Honor, I present to you Exhibit J, Charles Barkley; who refused to apologize to the fans of the San Antonio Spurs, specifically the women, for calling them fat.

Exhibit H:

Exhibit I:

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Exhibit J:

If you strip a person of their ability to express their feelings, then why are we having this or any other conversation? What’s the purpose of social media? We can agree to disagree on the violence aspects or any other problems up for debate, but when you can no longer have dialogue about an issue without someone being offended, that’s crazy!!! The day you can’t arm yourself with what you believe is the truth and you’re condemned to purgatory for voicing your opinion is the day you’ll understand where people like me and others are coming from.  Free the First Amendment!!!!! Stephen A. Smith, he’s alright!  BOL! “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

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education, enlightenment, entertainment, social consciousness, social media

Ah… Let’s Save The World Tomorrow

Tomorrow – a mystical land where 99% of all human productivity, motivation and achievement is stored.  As many of you may know, or for those that listen to the show on a regular basis, my primary job is that of a law enforcement official.  And for those that are employed in any type of public service position that requires interaction with the citizens at large (police officer, fire fighter, etc.), though you may have a set hourly schedule, you’re on the clock twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days a week.  So our deeds off the clock are equally as important as our performance on it.  So public intoxication, disorderly conduct, being arrested no matter the offense or anything done at a magnitude to blacken the eye of the agency of our employ is strictly prohibited.  Therefore, in trying to lead normal lives that include all of these pitfalls and possibilities, we must remain responsible to the companies we serve.  We often times forget the minor details as we go about our daily routine, and when duty calls during our personal time, we disregard it, laying the task at the feet of someone else saying, “I’m off! Somebody else will take care of it.”  Police officers don’t have that luxury; a law enforcement officer, including a police officer, has a legal duty to provide aid to ill, injured, and distressed persons who are not in police custody during an emergency whether the law enforcement officer is on-duty or acting in a law enforcement capacity off-duty.  (FYI – A correctional officer is not a peace officer and, therefore, does not have a legal duty to provide aid to ill, injured, and distressed persons. As a volunteer, a correctional officer would be covered under the Good Samaritan Act to the extent provided therein from liability for civil damages as a result of such care or treatment.)   I give you all that to say this, when one is attempting to change the world and start a crusade to enlighten people with information, there are no days off.

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See yesterday on my personal Facebook page I posted, “…. So… I’m gonna turn in my timesheet, punch out and get back to saving the world tomorrow.”  Though the comment was meant in jest, I regret it in a sense that when you’re trying to make difference or attempting to achieve a goal, you can’t take any days off.  Perhaps no one cares, but it bothered me.  The entrepreneur doesn’t take a day off to stop from getting their business up, running and being successful; the promoter doesn’t stop advertising until the venue is filled to capacity; the student doesn’t stop attempting to attain academic achievement and earn their diploma to rest on their laurels; the athlete doesn’t take a day off from training when attempting to make the roster of a team; the dedicated pastor doesn’t take time away from being proficient in scripture and leading his flock to take a vacation.  You understand where I coming from.  Though we’re currently on a smaller scale, the mission of becoming recognized and establishing a brand shouldn’t be allowed to take a day off either. When the abolitionists were petitioning the government to stop slavery, there were no sabbaticals; there were no stoppages during the Women’s Rights Movement; or when mass amounts of people turned out to march during the Civil Rights Movement.  So far be it for me to be any different than any of my predecessors.

Let’s be honest, most people don’t care about world events, saving the planet or pertinent issues that have a far reaching effect on our lives on a broader scale.  If it doesn’t affect the bottom line, decrease our paychecks or hurt our families, then our involvement is minimum at best.  What does recycling really do?  Global warming isn’t real; the polar ice caps aren’t melting. Police brutality and harassment… It isn’t a problem in my community. Really… having knowledge of self?  Everything I need to know about me was taught in school or I can watch it on the History Channel.  (Sigh) The site (Fan & blog pages) is run by a person or individuals who don’t “know it all”; just those that wish to “know it all” and share that information with the masses to increase their knowledge.  Knowledge and information are free, and should be shared with those that aspire to do more.  Any delay in disseminating that information is called procrastination.  Tomorrow isn’t promised; so during every waking moment, your actions should be impactful and far reaching.  Does the congregation question the minister’s ability when he/she is speaking before them from the pulpit?  No! He’s deemed a leader and his teachings are perceived to be the gospel.  People watch and listen to Suze Orman to attain information to achieve financial freedom.  They in turn use that knowledge and implement those principles in their lives to amass wealth.  The same holds true for any leader who is attempting to start a movement and create change; Marcus Garvey, Noble Drew Ali, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Stanley “Tookie” Williams (Crips) or Larry Hoover (Gangster Disciples).  Whether for good or evil; righteousness or injustice, these individuals worked tirelessly to press their agenda. And so too will I.  There can’t be any days off when you want something so badly and you’re attempting to make a difference.  So with that, I’ve done a disservice to you all.  There will be no more days off.  Because as badly as I want to succeed, I equally want to show how dedicated I am to what we’re trying to accomplish.  It may not always be information; there may be passages to uplift the spirit; or captions that express a lighter side of life.  Regardless, we’re obligated to you and need to stamp our imprint as a serious contender for your intellectual pleasure.  That’s all social media, television, radio and other means of communication are; an attempt to gain your attention, solicit their product and capture your imagination.  Our job is to perform that task better than anyone else by remaining diligent and believing in our product.  How bad do we want it; enough to sacrifice it all!  #Nodaysoff “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

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enlightenment, entertainment, love, social consciousness, social media

Live, Love, Laugh

So originally slated for today, I had planned on posting a blog called “Riddle Me This!”  I’m talking about that sh*t was gonna be deep discussing conspiracy theories and propaganda.  I had done my research; notes were spread out across my desk; and water was on deck to ensure I was properly hydrated and my brain was functioning at maximum capacity.  But as I began formulating the blog, I became engaged in a conversation with a friend concerning their goals and aspirations.  Now because I’m passionate about such things, the words began flowing; my fingers began hitting the keyboard of my iPhone at break neck speed.  By the time I finished, I had sent out about six (6) paragraphs; all lengthy in content and detailed with the precision of a craftsman.  I’ll keep this one short (I’ll try), but it’s gonna be an honest assessment of what “I” perceive life to be.

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From time to time, be on social media, etched in ink on someone’s skin or an individual wearing the moniker on a t-shirt, you will see the axiom, “Live, Love Laugh.”  The phrase is powerful in its content because if you simply live by those three (3) words, you should have no worries in the world.  Unfortunately, life isn’t always as simple as following a slogan.  As human beings we’re often times overcome with emotion; we experience elation, happiness, grief and disappointment.  With each life changing event our emotions ebb and flow like the rising and falling tide on the banks of the coastline.  It appears that most of us only experience the later of the three (3) words in that statement; not enjoying the pleasures of the first two (2).  The question must be asked, are you truly living or merely surviving.  The caged hamster is aware of its existence when it’s a captive as a pet.  There are only a few options: sleep, eat/drink and run on the wheel.  It’s as simple as that; nothing more.  Many of us are merely existing; unhappy with our current situations but too defeated to offer to make a change.  All the childhood dreams appear shattered like glass because of a wrong decision or life choice.  So to that end we settle; become content and complaisant; unwilling to pursue our life’s passions for fear of what people may think or the association of being deemed a failure.  So worried about being judged in the court of public opinion; so enamored with our “haters” that we spend beyond our means to satisfy those that can careless; lying awake well into the early morning hours contemplating our current situations and looking for a means of escape. So on bended knee we pray for salvation with the hopes of being granted favor.  And once given a sliver of hope, we broadcast for the entire world to see and hear how we’re so blessed; like a gambler; always highlighting the wins but never elaborating about the losses.  That’s not living, that existing.  In the phantom Bible verse, Hezekiah 6:1, “God helps those who help themselves!”  You can’t expect others to help you or relieve your burden without first trying to do so yourself.  So live!!!!! Drop that baggage and go…

They say time heals all wounds, broken hearts mend.  For many of us, the pain and anguish of love loss never subsides.  So we become scared to love again for fear of repeating the cycle.  Missing out on opportunities, because dipping a toe into the shallow end of the pool equates in the heart to being fed to a pool of sharks.  We want love to be unconditional only when it pertains to us receiving it.  Yet we remain reluctant to share those feelings on a consistent basis.  Here’s an example of what love is, and it’s not like Romeo and Juliet, as the lyrics of the old song will belt when heard.  Imagine giving someone money; any denomination.  If you’re looking to be repaid, it causes you some type of hardship by not having it or you’re constantly hounding someone to have it back, then you shouldn’t have given it.  Anything you give, whether money, love or time, you should do so freely and willingly without any strings attached.  Don’t get me wrong, everyone wants their feelings reciprocated, however there’s never a guarantee that the feelings will mutual; reaching the same level.  Love is never the same; it’s either ascending or descending.  But you can’t be afraid to give of yourself.  Essentially, that’s what every religion teaches in a roundabout fashion.  Love is the key.

But one thing as a society we do very well is laugh.  We laugh at the plight of others; we laugh when people are exploited and used.  But boyee…..  let that pistol get put on us, exposing our faults and weaknesses and we’re ready to fight something.  Laughter is good for the soul and a smile radiates a room when it’s genuine.  It’s ok to laugh at ourselves; it places life in perspective and means we don’t take everything so seriously.  So there it is! “Live, Love, Laugh.”  When properly understood, they’re the gateway to a happier existence.  Believe me, I’m not sitting here ideally giving advice; I too have experienced those same pitfalls, so it’s spoken from experience.  And when your Saturday approaches, and you’re lying on your death bed as the Grim Reaper begins to rap on your door, you don’t want to look back on your life saying, “What if” or “I wish I would’ve said or done…”  “Live, Love, Laugh.”  “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

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Bonus Blog: Overlooked

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When a debate arises about the prominent leaders of color from past and present, the names you will frequently hear discussed are Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. Dubois, George Washington Carver, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and current President Barack Obama.  Seldom, if ever, is the name of Prophet Noble Drew Ali mentioned.  This is perhaps because so little is known or documented about him.  In trying to research his biography or attain any information about him, the seeker is limited to brief excerpts or commentary provided by one of his thousands of followers.  Noble Drew Ali plays as integral a role with the progression and enlightenment of Black people as a culture as any of the previously mentioned individuals.  It’s important to recognize the accomplishments of lesser known ground breakers and innovators, inasmuch as it is to celebrate the achievements of those thought to be world renowned.  So who was Noble Drew Ali, who were the Moors and why are they important?

 

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“During the European Dark Ages, between the 7th and 14th century AD, the Moorish Empire in Spain became one of the world’s finest civilizations.  General Tarik and his Black Moorish army from Morocco, conquered Spain after a week long battle with King Roderick in 711 AD.  (The word tariff and the Rock of Gibraltar were named after him).  They found that Europe, with the assistance of the Catholic Church, had returned almost to complete barbarism.  The population was 90% illiterate and had lost all of the civilizing principles that were passed on by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

The Moors reintroduced mathematics, medicine, agriculture, and the physical sciences.  The clumsy Roman numerals were replaced by Arabic figures including the zero and the decimal point.  As Dr. Van Sertima says, “You can’t do higher mathematics with Roman numerals.”  The Moors introduced agriculture to Europe including cotton, rice, sugar cane, dates, ginger, lemons, and strawberries.  They also taught them how to store grain for up to 100 years and built underground grain silos.  They established a world famous silk industry in Spain.  The Moorish achievement in hydraulic engineering was outstanding.  They constructed an aqueduct, that conveyed water from the mountains to the city through lead pipes from the mountains to the city.  They taught them how to mine for minerals on a large scale, including copper, gold, silver, tin, lead, and aluminum.  Spain soon became the world center for high quality sword blades and shields.  Spain was eventually manufacturing up to 12,000 blades and shields per year.  Spanish craft and woolen became world famous.  The Moorish craftsman also produced world class glass, pottery, vases, mosaics, and jewelry.

The Moors introduced to Europe paved, lighted streets with raised sidewalks for pedestrians, flanked by uninterrupted rows of buildings.  Paved and lighted streets did not appear in London or Paris for hundreds of years.  They constructed thousands of public markets and mills in each city.  Cordova alone had 5,000 of each.  They also introduced to Spain underwear and bathing with soap.  Their public baths numbered in the thousands when bathing in the rest of Europe was frowned upon as a diabolical custom to be avoided by all good Christians.  Poor hygiene contributed to the plagues in the rest of Europe.  Moorish monarchs dwelled in sumptuous palaces while the crowned heads of England, France, and Germany lived in barns, lacking windows, toilets, and chimneys, with only a hole in the roof as the exit for smoke.  Human waste material was thrown in the streets since no bathrooms were present.

Education was made mandatory by the Moors, while 90% of Europe was illiterate, including the kings and queens.  The Moors introduced public libraries to Europe with 600,000 books housed in Cordova alone.  They established 17 outstanding universities in Spain.  Since Africa is a matriarchal society, women were also encouraged to devote themselves to serious study, and it was only in Spain that one could find female doctors, lawyers, and scientists.

Moorish schoolteachers knew that the world was round and taught geography from a globe.  They produced expert maps with all sea and land routes accurately located with respect to latitude and longitude; while also introducing compasses to Europe.  They were such expert shipbuilders that they were able to use their geography expertise to import and export as far away as India and China.  It was not by accident that a Moor named Pietro Olonzo Nino was the chief navigator for Christopher Columbus on the flagship Santa Maria.  He is said to have argued with Columbus as to who really discovered America.  One of the worst mistakes the Moors made was to introduce gunpowder technology from China into Europe, because their enemies adopted this weapon and used it to drive them out of Spain.  Europe then took the 700 years of civilization and education re-taught to them by the Moors and used this knowledge to attack Africa.

While the Moors were re-civilizing Europe, great empires were thriving in Western Africa and frequently traded with the Moors.  These included the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay, which prospered between 700 AD and 1600 AD.  Africa was not a dark continent awaiting European civilization.  In fact, Black African Egyptians and Black African Moors are credited with civilizing Europe.”  (Source – Black People & Their Place In the World, written by Dr. Leroy Vaughn)

Fast forward to the New World and the establishment of the United States, and it’s debated and chronicled that the first Black President isn’t Barack Obama, but John Hanson, who was voted to that prestigious position in 1781 under the adoption of the Articles of Confederation which were established on March 1, 1781, headed by the Confederation Congress .  According to research, Mr. Hanson, was a Moor.  Furthermore, for history’s sake, George Washington is actually the eighth (8th) President of the United States; elected in 1788.  Morocco is one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the United States as the Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdullah issued a declaration in 1777 allowing American ships access to Moroccan ports. One of the longest standing agreements still enforced is the Treaty of Peace & Friendship brokered between Morocco and the United States signed in Marrakech in 1787 (ratified in 1836); representatives for the United States were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The U.S had its first consulate in Tangier in 1797 in a building given by the sultan Moulay Sliman. It is the oldest U.S diplomatic property in the world.  (Think of the movie Casino – the Tangiers)

 

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Prophet Noble Drew Ali was born Timothy Drew on January 8, 1886 in the State of North Carolina.  Ali founded the Moorish Science Temple of America in 1913 in Newark, New Jersey. He would later move the headquarters to Chicago, Illinois, where he would establish his roots and the movement would flourish.  According to his biography, the high priest trained Drew in mysticism and gave him a “lost section” of the Quran.  This text came to be known as the Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America which is also known as the “Circle Seven Koran” because of its cover, which features a red “7” surrounded by either a red or blue circle. Drew crafted Moorish Science from a variety of sources, a “network of alternative spiritualities that focused on the power of the individual to bring about personal transformation through mystical knowledge of the divine within”.  In researching this topic, in my opinion one of Ali’s biggest achievements may have been what he was able to accomplish at the Pan-American Conference held in Havana, Cuba in 1928.  It is said at that meeting, the land mass of North, Central and South “America” was returned to the Moors as a result of his ability to disprove the fact that “Blacks” weren’t brought to the “Americas” as slaves, but were the possessors of the oldest artifacts and burial sites in those areas; in other words indigenous to the continent(s).  Aware of the consequences, and afraid of a potential “awaken”, the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal met in Geneva, Switzerland for consecutive years from 1928 to 1932, to set up what would be policy of all the participating countries (Geneva Convention).  In 1930, the aforementioned countries declared for bankruptcy; the minutes of the 1930 Convention are unavailable for view by the public because it contains evidence of bankruptcy.  In 1932, the countries stopped meeting in Geneva, FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) became President, and under the premise of the “New Deal”, the reorganization plan confronting the bankruptcy the U.S. had declared two (2) years earlier, the United States of America, as well as the Constitution became defunct turning into a for profit corporation: (ALL CAPITAL LETTERS).  All the other states followed suit revamping their local constitutions by 1938 and began doing business under the corporation the United States, making way for the Buck Act of 1940.  Noble Drew Ali died at the age of forty-three (43) at his home in Chicago on July 20, 1929.  The circumstances surrounding his death, his legacy and the Moors as a whole largely remains a mystery.  And like most things, art, literature, science, language and culture, when they aren’t discussed, the history is lost and the public is oblivious to the events that have taken place in the past and how it can be beneficial to their growth and understanding.  My co-worker has a quote in which he states, “Be phenomenal or be forgotten!”  The Moors have etched out just as much history as anything else we’ve been taught to study.  It is our obligation to remember their accomplishments just as much as we immortalize the deeds of other historical figures.  “The time has come when every nation must worship under its own vine and fig tree, and every tongue must confess his own. Through sin and disobedience every nation has suffered slavery, due to the fact that they honored not the creed and principles of their forefathers. That is why the nationality of the Moors was taken away from them in 1774 and the word negro, black and colored, was given to the Asiatics of America who were of Moorish descent, because they honored not the principles of their mother and father, and strayed after the gods of Europe of whom they knew nothing.” – Moorish Holy Koran chapter 47:15-17  “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

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