Pull yourself up by your Bootstraps Lebron the American story

The things we believe about Lebron are the same ignorant things will believe about success in America. Why can't he just win the title? Even in the midst of a team sport our selfish narrative of individualism blinds us to the truth. Individuals do not win titles teams do. However, this would be difficult for our country to accept. A country that prides itself on believing that individuals determine their success alone. That systemic barriers do not limit the life chances of many and that by simply making the right choices success will be the outcome. Lebron is great that does not mean that there are not other teams better than the one he is on. Winning a title will be determined by the collective. It is this collective narrative that would transform our communities as well. The belief that success is not simply this singular goal that can be achieved by our greatness. We need help! Can we accept that, can we see past the allure of believing that we can do it all. The American system wins if we keep alive these narratives that the system has no impact. That individuals can simply will themselves to success. This is as likely as one man willing himself to a team title. Something to think about. Let's Get Free!

Damn Seattle!

When did the town become a place where violence was so prevalent? I, like many others am wrestling with this question. As I see numerous updates that highlight the fear that now grips our city. I am left with the realization, Uncertainty is scary. It is difficult when we recognize that those ideas that we have taken for granted must be re-examined. Safety is a privilege that it seems we have taken for granted. Now, the question is how will we challenge ourselves and our communities to be better? How will we make the choice not to give into the despair? It is easy in times like this to make your circle smaller. So often we tend to believe that there is no one that we can trust and that barriers and fences will make us safer. However, we must resist this logic and recognize the solution occurs when we begin to truly see one another as brothers and sisters. Beautifully flawed individuals trying to deal with the same cruel world. That skin color, sexual orientations, economic class or political affiliation does not shield us from the same fundamental issues. The truth is, We are in this together, and until we accept this, and place the value of life at the centerpiece in the restoration of our broken world we will continue to fall short. Falling short screaming in solitude Damn Seattle!

Love Life

Love Life. A simple phrase that seems needed now more than ever. As the news is continually filled with stories of lives stolen to soon, I wonder how did we arrive here? How did we reach this point where precious lives were no longer viewed in that context? When did innocence die? More importantly, when did we began to revel in our guilt? Why are guns now aimed and bullets fired in undefined directions looking for indiscriminate targets? The truth is, we all become targets when violence becomes normalized and the solutions to the feelings of powerlessness become automatic weapons. So, how do we teach our young people to love life in the midst of culture that teaches them that violence is legitimate tool to solve problems? We must critique the larger cultural vices that seeks to corrupt the minds of youth with questionable messages. Our message must be that when we begin to love life you begin to recognize how precious it truly is. And hopefully this recognition will lead you to see the precious nature of others and will force you turn from the destructive ways of violence. Let's Get Free!

Love Life

Take A Chance!

It is shocking when you realize that change does not simply occur. That we are responsible for the picture we paint. That sitting and waiting for perfect opportunities or moments is pointless. This is life! This is our time and any time spent wasted waiting for a time more perfect than this is futile. What do I want out of life? This is a question I have struggled to answer. However, I know its more than working in places that provide me no meaning. I want my life to be more than safe choices. Living Rational has not lead to happiness? No, it has simply re-enforced the idea that without risk there can be no rewards. That being unwilling to take chances is not living at all. Freedom and fear cannot co-exist. The question for me is how to challenge fear so that I can live more free?

How to make Consciousness Cool?

How to make consciousness cool? This is the question? Far to often intellectuals are isolated from the mainstream because the masses can't or simply choose not to float in deep waters. So the tides of ignorance continue to engulf whole communities while the life rafts of wisdom and consciousness remain out of reach. Can we reach the masses? Or will the masses continue to be enchanted by lyrics that re-enforce captivity? Do, the captives desire freedom or will the familiar chains of captivity captivate many? Many questions however I have limited answers. However, I must answer to the voice that says there is freedom in the possibility that revolution can still charter a new course. Of course complacency can never confine a free spirit. So my spirit emanates freedom songs even from the depths of a chained body. My body will be my sacrifice and revolution will forever be my message. Let's Get Free!

Maybe

Maybe, Revolution is impossible. Maybe, the remnants of oppression will forever stain the possibility of a more perfect picture of humanity. Maybe, I am unrealistic in my belief that consciousness will one day precipitate real action. Maybe, the belief that life must be defined in a capitalistic context is common sense that I must simply accept. Or maybe, there is more, and that our willingness to envision more is where true freedom begins. I begin each day with the hope that a broken world can be put back together by caring hands. Let's Get Free!

Human Misery Profitable!

It's crazy how human misery can be profitable. How bad choices can be continual currency for capitalist. And how human suffering and unjust conditions do not shake those who have been conditioned to accept atrocities. We have accepted so much oppression that I question our capacity to resist. Even though resistance is the only weapon in the war to salvage our humanity in the midst of de-humanizing times. So, as time runs out I still allow for my pen to passionately paint pictures of possibilities of brighter tomorrows. Truthfully, if tomorrow never comes I live with the peace that comes from resisting today. So, today it is our choice. To resist and rescue humanity from the brink of destruction. Or to allow for fear to freeze our voice and to hardened our hearts. The Choice is ours. Let's Get Free!

No Sports?

What if there were no sports? If Black Males had to find new avenues to assert their dominance? If the dominant dreams of fade away jump shots and touchdown passes passed away? How would we past the time? The time is now to examine the peculiar position that sports holds in our communities. We have allowed it to symbolize the only way out of poverty. It is the bedrock of hope for so many. As many believe that they will be the one who makes it out on the strength of their jump shot or right arm. The question is why are we not up in arms? Why have we not told countless young men that they can be more? As we seem content to simply recreate similar messages of years past. Messages that said that physically we could be strong but that mentally we would remain continually weak. Truth to be told we need more Malcolm's than Lebron's,more MLK's than RG3'S. Unfortunately, until we instill in our young boys the message that we are proud of their minds as much as their athletic achievements they will continue to aspire to the glory of jam packed arenas instead of the chance to dominate boardrooms. Let's Get Free!