Struggle, Change, Complacency

The struggle for freedom cannot take place when the masses refuse to recognize the conditions that keep them in captivity. Complacency in the midst of materialistic lifestyles makes the possibility of change comical. We have been groomed to be the silent witnesses to the imperialistic ambitions of those who covet world domination. The wretched conditions of most are confined to sound bites that don't register concern on the narcissistic soundtracks that govern our lives. While the majority of the world experiences a nightmare due to the unsustainability of our American dreams it seems that we could care less. We must wake up! However, before we can wake up we have to collectively acknowledge the ways in which we have been asleep. More importantly, at some point we have to recognize there is more to life than Party and Bullshit! Let's Get Free!

The Victims of American ideology

The dreams and perpetuated illusions of upward mobility stifle revolutionary action. We are all victims of American dogma. The liberal themes of hard work and determination distort the true picture of America. America,is a corrupt plantation that seeks to ensure servitude for the masses and prosperity for a few. History is the greatest teacher, and as we continue to see the declining economic stability of the American worker and the unprecedented wealth generated for ceo's and greedy corporations we are left with one realization: The American dream is for a few an the American nightmare is for most. The question is what do we do? How do we destroy an American system that exploits the people? First, we must recognize that individualism is the endorsed political ideology of the elite because it makes solidarity impossible. Solidarity is essential if we are to overcome the larger social vices that seek to confine the lives of the masses to nothing more than exercises in survival. The lives of most should not be defined as "getting by" the people deserve more and the only way to gain more is by agitating for more. We must always remember power concedes nothing without demand. Let's Get Free!

No Title

We must be on guard as critical consciousness becomes a causality in Americas war to dumb down its people. Ignorance is the greatest tool of the oppressor in the proliferation of corruption. It is vital that we recognize how we have been complicit in the maintenance of inequality. The questionable practices of the powerful are only able to sustain themselves because we have been appallingly silent. Our critical consciousness has been replaced with an outgrowth of unchecked egotism that has corrupted our ability to see beyond our own narrow self-interest. While we have fallen under the spell of extreme selfishness the destructive actions of those in power has gone unchecked. Couple this with the acceptance and systematic maintenance of anti-intellectualism truth is no longer visible. We must regain our voice and begin to challenge the sources of world misery. We must break from the shackles of individualism and embrace a communal ethic. This is the only way that change for the masses can occur. We can struggle together or perish alone the choice is ours.

Dear Hip-Hop

Dear Hip-Hop,
I am writing to you as a concerned citizen. I recognize your global impact and your ability to paint a new picture of blackness. With this being said, I feel that you have lost your revolutionary voice and have begun to highlight historically racist views of black people. I am simply asking why? Why when you have the ability to transform and challenge the historical depictions of the disenfranchised do you glamorize them for profit? Is material privilege really worth damaging countless lives, lives that search for meaning through Hip-Hop? I know that some will say there are larger culprits that have no concern for the disenfranchised and seek to package black buffoonery to ensure their privileged lifestyles. However, I must say that it is the faces that we see on the television that have the most impact. It is your fictional tales of the drug life that inspire countless young males to re-interpret the American Dream through the embrace of illegal economies. It is your words that set the foundation for how young men and women view themselves. I am simply asking when consciousness will re-enter the conversation? When will profit not dictate that artist abandon responsibility and sacrifice their soul on the alter of Stardom? Hip-Hop has the power to be the soundtrack for revolution or it can continue to be the lyrical barrier to communal consciousness. The choice is yours, millions of people wait to hear you decision.

Death of Patriarchy

If black men and women are ever to truly reconcile there must be a repudiation of patriarchy on behalf of black males. It is essential that black men recognize that the role of a women is to not simply submit and be subjugated to the domination of a man. This idea is detrimental to real partnership and creates a rift in personal relationships. Patriarchy also provides a sense of entitlement amongst men and makes them weary and skeptical of strong women. In actuality in some ways patriarchy creates an environment were the strength of a women is to be viewed with disdain and wanton disregard. If black men do not challenge the patriarchy in their own lives then the possibility of creating real bonds of love between black men and women will become extremely difficult to create and maintain.

Inconvenient Truth

It seems at times that we gravitate towards convenience and ignore unpopular positions because we desire the warmth of conformity and mass acceptance. This is one of those times. Truthfully, America will never fulfill its immense potential as long as the issue of racism is conveniently categorized as a figment of black people's imagination. Racism is real and it still seeks to wraps its destructive limbs around the collective minds and bodies of black people. This is truth and Americas consistent inability to recognize this truth makes progress impossible. We cannot ignore those truths which make us uncomfortable and attempt to sweep them under the collective rug of our consciousness. No we must deal with the reality that progress is not achieved simply because we allow ourselves to be blind to the persistence of truth. Americas warm embrace of a lie keeps us trapped in a reality were many Americans are forced to wear the corrupt blinders of American dogma and cannot truly envision freedom. The day when America can truly look itself in the mirror and recognizes its flaws, is a day when we began to embrace truth over convenience. Until then we will remain a country that hides its imperfections and is continuously enamored with a false image. Let's Get Free!

Lebron James "white property"

At times in America there is a willingness on behalf of most of us to ignore the truth because of its ability to make us uncomfortable. It is difficult to come to grips with the reality that we have not come as far as we would like to think. That the path towards true freedom for all of us is a long way off and that we still must courageously resist the insidious nature of racism in all its forms. This is one of those times. The despicable treatment of Lebron James by Cleveland fans and their Owner is cloaked in the latent racist themes that still characterize so much of America. The notion that the Cavaliers or the city of Cleveland owned Lebron James is deeply problematic. However, this reality pales in comparison to the ways Lebron has been characterized by the Cavalier owner Dan Gilbert. Gilbert has defined Lebron as "narcissistic" and "cowardly" simply because Lebron had the nerve to make a business decision that he felt would benefit him and his family. It is not Gilbert's frustration that is troubling it is the arrogance that is embedded in the outrage. It speaks to American History, and how throughout that history African Americans have been expected to be forever humble and deferential in their relations with whites. This vicious paternalism that characterizes so much of white black relations is intertwined with the turbulent history of America. Lebron is nobodies property and attacks cloaked in the idea that he belonged to Cleveland should be resisted on all fronts. African Americans must be vigilant in challenging the ways racism still seeks to define so much of our lives. It does not matter how rich or famous we become, to some we will always be property and ignoring this history or explaining it away with post-racial rhetoric does not make us progressive no it simply makes us HOUSE NIGGAS! To my comrades in the struggles as always Lets Get Free!