There’s a remarkable trend of dudes in L.A. addressing each other as “god.” Even some friends of mine have tried to greet me with it – it’s nerveracking and a bit problematic.
“Yo god" is no way to address another person. First off – because someone from New York says something, does not make it brilliant. Secondly, your friends are not gods and you know it. When you fall sick or broke or hungry, you will call “God,” but it won't be your friend – your boy may come through to give you some soup, but that's about it. Thirdly, there's a clinical term that professionals attribute to those who find joy in being called God or think of themselves as God – the term is “insane.”
One of the problems is that people always want to see God, and that's cool (if you say so.) It gets worse though, people start drawing, and then they call their art God. Now there are those who call their friends god. And hey, if you believe that there is no God and no judgment day, that's alright, more of a reason to not call one of your friends “god” (that’s my only point.)No one says you have to believe in God the almighty, it’s a free country.That's the cool part about America; you really don't have to believe in anything as long as you pay taxes. But for a person who regularly uses the term "god", one would assume that person has some belief in the concept. If you won't believe that God is something truly superior to yourself (or your buddies), then why believe in God @ all?
If you do believe in a God or a single creator though, consider how much the creator has done for you. Think about it, how many species in the animal kingdom have the intelligence to cook? If you believe in a day of judgement, then on that day you will have to account for everything you do and everything you say. You don't want to tell your God that you called your next door neighbor “god” every morning; do you?
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me – that is a fallacy. We should be more careful about what we say, because words affect us than we know.
P. S.
Black men are not dumb, but what is so difficult about finding a word somewhere between “nigga” and “god”?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Third Sunday
Today was a cool day, I didn't do much. My sister came home from Louisiana for Spring Break , its great to her again. My boy is heart-broken, his girl found some recent text messages from his old girl, and she's off him right now. So I was pretty much nursing him throughout the day. I hope she forgives him, she should, that's fruit of a poisonous tree anyway.
This week will kick off the meetings for the Young Democrats group on campus, as Jig says, its politics as usual (I love every chance I get to apply phrase.)
Otherwise, I am bored. I was supposed to leave some wise words, but all I have is this video:
This week will kick off the meetings for the Young Democrats group on campus, as Jig says, its politics as usual (I love every chance I get to apply phrase.)
Otherwise, I am bored. I was supposed to leave some wise words, but all I have is this video:
Kid Sister
The other day I run into my best friend's little sister. Its really cool to see her grow now, she's always had so much character. We've run into each other randomly a handful of times since she started high school. So we stop and talk, "how's your brother? [yada yada] how's the 'Shaw? [yada yada] Mr. [so and so] still sleeps in class... [yada yada]" the conversation was nice. She asks for my number, we exchange IM screen names, and hug farewell. That last hug felt pretty strange though, different from any time that she's hugged me before. Then she called, and we had a 20-minute conversation. She is priviliged; if not for her being who she is, I have would have exited the conversation with the [dis]communication tactics I learned from twenty years in the city of Los Angeles.
I did not forget how old she is, and she would not let me - all she talked about was the boys at her school and her homegirls. But she's my friend's sister, so I heard her out. At some point we talked about going to eat Roscoe's, it was not until the phone hung up that I realized that I committed to taking her. That was a mistake. There is no way I can take her there, or anywhere to sit and eat. Jack in the Box is cool, but if I was take her out the word will certainly get back to her brother, and I am not prepared to talk to him about that. I could talk to him beforehand, but I'm not prepared for that conversation either; and that would just make the thing seem more serious than it is. Then the boy is like my brother, that's how we move and that's how we introduced ourselves in high school - so that makes her like my sister. If another dude was to hurt her feelings by leading her on, I would be one of the first to press him about it.
I gave her my word though, and I hate to renege. Maybe we can dodge the peanut gallery if we go to Roscoe's on a week day, but I don't believe in that. Plus it wouldn't work, that may just be the random day her brother goes to eat there. Now is the time to apply situational ethics - I must be lame to her (just as I have been lame to so many others) in order to preserve the ultimate trust and quality of our relationship. She may not understand, but who cares, she's 16. She'll get over it and we'll still be friends. Maybe in three or four years we can hit Roscoe's or Fatburger for a platonic night out, or possibly something after that, who knows. But for now, that's way too weird.
P.S.
I hope my homeboy never reads this because he will know that this is about him.
P.P.S.
The title is partly a tribute to Kid Sister, the artist. She's a bad1.
I did not forget how old she is, and she would not let me - all she talked about was the boys at her school and her homegirls. But she's my friend's sister, so I heard her out. At some point we talked about going to eat Roscoe's, it was not until the phone hung up that I realized that I committed to taking her. That was a mistake. There is no way I can take her there, or anywhere to sit and eat. Jack in the Box is cool, but if I was take her out the word will certainly get back to her brother, and I am not prepared to talk to him about that. I could talk to him beforehand, but I'm not prepared for that conversation either; and that would just make the thing seem more serious than it is. Then the boy is like my brother, that's how we move and that's how we introduced ourselves in high school - so that makes her like my sister. If another dude was to hurt her feelings by leading her on, I would be one of the first to press him about it.
I gave her my word though, and I hate to renege. Maybe we can dodge the peanut gallery if we go to Roscoe's on a week day, but I don't believe in that. Plus it wouldn't work, that may just be the random day her brother goes to eat there. Now is the time to apply situational ethics - I must be lame to her (just as I have been lame to so many others) in order to preserve the ultimate trust and quality of our relationship. She may not understand, but who cares, she's 16. She'll get over it and we'll still be friends. Maybe in three or four years we can hit Roscoe's or Fatburger for a platonic night out, or possibly something after that, who knows. But for now, that's way too weird.
P.S.
I hope my homeboy never reads this because he will know that this is about him.
P.P.S.
The title is partly a tribute to Kid Sister, the artist. She's a bad1.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Hip Hop vs. America?
The other day I got to see clip of the Hip-Hop vs. America debate, with T.I. and Nelly on the panel, with Jeff Johnson as the moderator. I'm super late, because I don't mess with BET at all - I actually started my boycott before Huey Freeman. The clip is on Youtube though, and that's where I caught it. Stanley Crouch and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson were there as well. Dr. Dyson was definitely the voice of reason, with Nelson George to support him. Nelly and T.I. spoke about how the just give the people what they want, which is true. Then they implied that they have no control over what they put out, not so true. Dyson made it clear that rappers with so much influence must take some responsibility for their actions. T. I. and Nelly conceded to that, which is good them, and great for the audience to see.
Melyssa Ford and Kim Osorio were the only women on the panel, and they are good representatives. Ford made sure to point that out that very few people can afford the lifestyle that these rappers portray. Both T.I. and Nelly became uncomfortable at that point, as if she let out the top secret. What she did not mention though, from what I saw; is that of those very few people who can afford to live that way, NONE actually live that way. Sadly, a lot of people will not expose that. Another problem that people don't address, is that the current hot commercial rappers are not talented. These rappers claim that they just do what N.W.A. did, but they'll never make a song like Fuck the Police - because they lack the heart and the talent. Kim Osorio did mention Kanye West at some point, and his commercial success without glorifying violence or abuse to women. T.I. responded to her by saying that the reason for Kanye's success is that he made his debut album for college kids - that's not true. The real difference is that Kanye West is musically inclined and genuinely talented, which sets him apart from the rest. This is probably one reason why so many young people now look up to skaters. The bar for rappers has been set extremely low, and its getting corny; when skating takes some real talent, and its becoming hot again.
Its fascinating that critics of rap are so politically correct with their comments about the immoral music that they allege is destroying youth; critics say that rappers are "misrepresenting" when they're flat out lying. Everything that rappers do now is for shock value. The problem is that they have shocked the listeners to the point where we are insensitive. For istance, after seeing Tip Drill and P Poppin, it doesn't seem radical to hear "shake ya ass bitch I'ma throw this money" (I fux with Jeezy by the way.) And its not unusual to see a young man sing along to "bitch I might be" over and over (I do not fux with Gucci Mane.) Rap videos are nothing but soft porn, but no one has a problem because: hey, Snoop just did a real porno, @ least its not that bad. None of what they show us is real. They are running out of gimmick, so they're thirsty to make a show at every opportunity. T.I. just went to jail, he probably doesn't care that much, but that's no the saddest part. The saddest part is that when he gets out, he will go on TV and say"I did six months, it was nothing." So his fans will go out and do the same dumb shit he did, they can't afford the lawyers he has, so they'll get 3-5 years.
T.I. and Nelly mainly blame the market, in doing so they essentially admit that they sold out. But that is a hard dilemma to jam them up on. Think about it, these dudes were regular guys living regular lives. Along the way, they have encountered debt, jail, babies, baby mommas, the list goes on. When you consider these circumstances, you could probably recognize how much they would treasure an opportunity to make real money and get out the ’hood at the same time. Then its easy understand how easy it would be for a rapper to make this compromise, and that is only if you assume that certain individual had some integrity to begin with. It is a trivial position; if all a man has to do is be chauvinistic and vulgar on track, and that will pay his rent; then that’s his answer. T.I. and Nelly have some merit in their belief that they are unfairly targeted, their superiors influence the songs that they release. And one of the problems is that BET does not have any record executives on the panel to talk about their part of the industry.
Another sad truth is that not enough people hold BET responsible, when they are the channel that plays the vulgar videos all day without dedicating a single half hour to an alternative. The rap game is all twisted up. Its not right to call these rappers artists, because they are not. They are talking, walking trademarks who let the market speak for their products. If we let the market tell it, 50 Cent is the greatest of all time - and we know that's not true. And as I watched Crouch hate on T.I. and T.I. get angry with Crouch, I realized that after the show these guys will shake hands and hug until the cameras roll for the next time they need to fight on air. These guys are politicians, no wonder why they rap about pimpin' so much. The same principles apply for pimps, preachers, and politicians - John Street could have been a reverend or a mack just as easy as he became mayor. The same thing goes for the rap game. Rappers have become players in the game, and that superseded the art of music. Rap is not the counterculture that it once was. This game is just like any other, its just a micro structure of the big game of life where we live - which makes it very American. This is why the whole concept of "Hop vs. America" is questionable.
Melyssa Ford and Kim Osorio were the only women on the panel, and they are good representatives. Ford made sure to point that out that very few people can afford the lifestyle that these rappers portray. Both T.I. and Nelly became uncomfortable at that point, as if she let out the top secret. What she did not mention though, from what I saw; is that of those very few people who can afford to live that way, NONE actually live that way. Sadly, a lot of people will not expose that. Another problem that people don't address, is that the current hot commercial rappers are not talented. These rappers claim that they just do what N.W.A. did, but they'll never make a song like Fuck the Police - because they lack the heart and the talent. Kim Osorio did mention Kanye West at some point, and his commercial success without glorifying violence or abuse to women. T.I. responded to her by saying that the reason for Kanye's success is that he made his debut album for college kids - that's not true. The real difference is that Kanye West is musically inclined and genuinely talented, which sets him apart from the rest. This is probably one reason why so many young people now look up to skaters. The bar for rappers has been set extremely low, and its getting corny; when skating takes some real talent, and its becoming hot again.
Its fascinating that critics of rap are so politically correct with their comments about the immoral music that they allege is destroying youth; critics say that rappers are "misrepresenting" when they're flat out lying. Everything that rappers do now is for shock value. The problem is that they have shocked the listeners to the point where we are insensitive. For istance, after seeing Tip Drill and P Poppin, it doesn't seem radical to hear "shake ya ass bitch I'ma throw this money" (I fux with Jeezy by the way.) And its not unusual to see a young man sing along to "bitch I might be" over and over (I do not fux with Gucci Mane.) Rap videos are nothing but soft porn, but no one has a problem because: hey, Snoop just did a real porno, @ least its not that bad. None of what they show us is real. They are running out of gimmick, so they're thirsty to make a show at every opportunity. T.I. just went to jail, he probably doesn't care that much, but that's no the saddest part. The saddest part is that when he gets out, he will go on TV and say"I did six months, it was nothing." So his fans will go out and do the same dumb shit he did, they can't afford the lawyers he has, so they'll get 3-5 years.
T.I. and Nelly mainly blame the market, in doing so they essentially admit that they sold out. But that is a hard dilemma to jam them up on. Think about it, these dudes were regular guys living regular lives. Along the way, they have encountered debt, jail, babies, baby mommas, the list goes on. When you consider these circumstances, you could probably recognize how much they would treasure an opportunity to make real money and get out the ’hood at the same time. Then its easy understand how easy it would be for a rapper to make this compromise, and that is only if you assume that certain individual had some integrity to begin with. It is a trivial position; if all a man has to do is be chauvinistic and vulgar on track, and that will pay his rent; then that’s his answer. T.I. and Nelly have some merit in their belief that they are unfairly targeted, their superiors influence the songs that they release. And one of the problems is that BET does not have any record executives on the panel to talk about their part of the industry.
Another sad truth is that not enough people hold BET responsible, when they are the channel that plays the vulgar videos all day without dedicating a single half hour to an alternative. The rap game is all twisted up. Its not right to call these rappers artists, because they are not. They are talking, walking trademarks who let the market speak for their products. If we let the market tell it, 50 Cent is the greatest of all time - and we know that's not true. And as I watched Crouch hate on T.I. and T.I. get angry with Crouch, I realized that after the show these guys will shake hands and hug until the cameras roll for the next time they need to fight on air. These guys are politicians, no wonder why they rap about pimpin' so much. The same principles apply for pimps, preachers, and politicians - John Street could have been a reverend or a mack just as easy as he became mayor. The same thing goes for the rap game. Rappers have become players in the game, and that superseded the art of music. Rap is not the counterculture that it once was. This game is just like any other, its just a micro structure of the big game of life where we live - which makes it very American. This is why the whole concept of "Hop vs. America" is questionable.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Line 'em up, shut 'em down!
Its official! John McCain is the Republican candidate for the 2008 presidential election. We need to make sure Mccain is never our commander-in-chief, what a nightmare that is. Whether we nominate Clinton or Obama, we know we can beat this guy. McCain doesn't even have a high approval among conservatives. Ann Coulter even said that she will endorse Hillary Clinton in the event of McCain's nomination - we have to see how far that goes. We, the actual humans need to insure that we get who we want in office, we can't depend on Ann Coulter.
The question that comes to mind is: who will be McCain's running mate? I anticipate he will roll with Rudy Giuliani. Yes, he's a crook, and conservatives don't like him that much - but he is Mr. Nine Eleven. Whenever someone mentions shows those numbers (9-11) Giuliani becomes a twenty-first century American hero among conservatives. The timing of Giuliani's withdrawal from the primary race was suspicious too, and he was lighting quick to endorse McCain after he quit the race. It would not be a shock to find out that they planned that all along to lock up that ticket. But time will tell, and McCain will need to consult his party before they announce his running mate.
It really doesn't matter who Mccain will run with. Lets just keep him out of office! Its time to bring Democracy back, so we can all feel good again. Think about the Democrats back in control -welfare, housing, job market, child protection - these will sound be good words again. So here is the message to all voters on the left: you are the margin of victory! If you pay close attention the numbers of voters for the recent primaries, Democrats have a tremendous advantage over Republicans. If we can keep this drive and stay disciplined through the general election, we will turn the White House blue again.
Beat John McCain!
The question that comes to mind is: who will be McCain's running mate? I anticipate he will roll with Rudy Giuliani. Yes, he's a crook, and conservatives don't like him that much - but he is Mr. Nine Eleven. Whenever someone mentions shows those numbers (9-11) Giuliani becomes a twenty-first century American hero among conservatives. The timing of Giuliani's withdrawal from the primary race was suspicious too, and he was lighting quick to endorse McCain after he quit the race. It would not be a shock to find out that they planned that all along to lock up that ticket. But time will tell, and McCain will need to consult his party before they announce his running mate.
It really doesn't matter who Mccain will run with. Lets just keep him out of office! Its time to bring Democracy back, so we can all feel good again. Think about the Democrats back in control -welfare, housing, job market, child protection - these will sound be good words again. So here is the message to all voters on the left: you are the margin of victory! If you pay close attention the numbers of voters for the recent primaries, Democrats have a tremendous advantage over Republicans. If we can keep this drive and stay disciplined through the general election, we will turn the White House blue again.
Beat John McCain!
Kefir
Today I visit my mother's house, with perfect timing because she just went grocery shopping. As always, I have a lovely time with mom, we catch up on the latest haps and share a lot of laughs. My brother comes in and the room lights up like wherever he goes. So my mother gets up, pours two cups, and offers us some kefir. Then my brother says "kefir?! That sounds like some expensive weed." My mother just shakes her head and tries to not laugh. I could not help it, it was way too funny. It was dry, but the timing and his voice set the joke off.
I love that dude, he never passes the opportunity for a good joke. Bukhari is setting trends for a whole generation. He is so creative and his swagger in unmeasurable. And he just started clothing line: easyxchemistry.blogspot.com. This kid is extraordinary, amazing, unbelievable.
I love that dude, he never passes the opportunity for a good joke. Bukhari is setting trends for a whole generation. He is so creative and his swagger in unmeasurable. And he just started clothing line: easyxchemistry.blogspot.com. This kid is extraordinary, amazing, unbelievable.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
YDA Conference
Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending the Young Democrats of America conference at Disneyland. It was awesome, I’ve never seen so many bright, determined, young people in one place before. Initially, the plan was just to show my face and maybe meet some people from New York, but the conference really exceeded my expectations. I was so impressed by the young Democrats there, especially those from Cook County and New York. For the opening night we had a mixer with an open bar. I met a woman named Steffanie, an elementary education major at Alcorn State, who will definitely be an elected official at some point in her political career. I also met a guy from Houston who was really cool. There were so many liberals from all over the country, it seemed like people were disappointed when I told them that I’m from L.A.
I also met a few dudes from the Larouche crew. They are special, to say the least. One of them, when I introduced myself, made a point to identify himself as Muslim. But it was vain, almost like the way people go “hey, I’m Black” or “I play ball too” – there is only so much we can relate to on that level, especially at a Democratic convention. He greeted me “hey, salaam” and reached out with one hand, holding a bottle of Bud in the other. Then he and his partner broke down part of the revolution to me and they used good buzzwords. They obviously didn’t know that Econ is my academic discipline, and that I know there is a difference between “globalization” and “outsourcing.” They are world class propagandists, but I would expect nothing less from people who for Larouche. I do respect them though, and I commend their commitment, but can not co-sign many of their views. And the whole “revolutionary” thing got my nerves, because everyone who voted Democrat in this election is revolutionary.
It was also pretty cool to see who endorses who. David Hardt, president of YDA, is a superdelegate, and I am eager to see who he votes for. If he is swayed by the attendees of the convention, he will go with Obama. By the way, he is great; and he represents young Democrats well. And I appreciate how much he definitely did not endorse any candidate at the convention. He spoke about commitment to whichever candidate is nominated, and young voters understand that. We, as young voters should promote this partisan discipline to older voters and even underage kids who identify themselves as Democrats; they have parents and older relatives too, and they won’t be underage forever. (By the way, I endorse Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.)
Altogether, that experience was great. They screened a hilarious clip of Daily Show, which I have no clue why I didn’t catch before. The DJ was sweet; Eminem, Jay-Z, Khaled, a blind man could walk in that room and tell it was a function for young people. The Southerner are now the forerunners for this young liberal movement, a slight difference from the traditional East Coast-led campaign is good for us now. The LBGT Dems were very cool, they made me feel comfortable. We also met members of UNITE HERE Local 681 – the Orange County labor union that represents the workers at Disneyland hotels. They are in the middle of a contract disputes with Disneyland management, including conflicts with health care provision. One Disney employee told me that he has been working there for ten years, and has a six-year-old daughter. Now he fears that his health coverage will be revoked, and he doesn't know what he will do if his daughter gets sick. That doesn't sound like the happiest place on earth, does it?
I was on the way to a rally to support the Disney employees when my car engine got hot. Perfect timing, right after I wrecked my other car. There was a leak in the water hose, and the car started steaming on the 5 right at the Disney Way exit. I thought I was stranded in the OC for good, but my father was able to come get me a few hours later. We got the car to a repair shop in Midway City, where the manager was great. We talked a bit of politics after I told where I was going. He told me how his sister is a lobbyist for a free speech organization and she works closely with a congressman from New York; then I told him how I’m a journalist and an aspiring New Yorker. That was a nice cap to the car ordeal, it took a lot of time and wore me out. Everything happens for a reason though, and God is the best planner. My time with pops was wonderful. We listened to Garrison Keillor on the radio and ate at San Giovanni Pizza in Anaheim. The owner at the pizzeria is a naturalized citizen, and this election will be his fist time voting. I told him to vote Democrat. His food is so good that if he starts campaigning, he could make Orange County blue.
Later than night, I got to chat with old friend from high school. We laughed about memories, and exchanged jokes from Laffy Taffy wrappers. She told me about her life in Arizona now and how she never needs to come to Cali again. I wanted to tell her the same thing, but that would sound stupid considering I still live in California. This was actually our first phone conversation, and we have a lot more in common than I knew. That was pleasant.
All in all, my weekend was great. I experienced my first Democratic Convention, and I’m sure it won’t be my last.
Peace,
Hanif
I also met a few dudes from the Larouche crew. They are special, to say the least. One of them, when I introduced myself, made a point to identify himself as Muslim. But it was vain, almost like the way people go “hey, I’m Black” or “I play ball too” – there is only so much we can relate to on that level, especially at a Democratic convention. He greeted me “hey, salaam” and reached out with one hand, holding a bottle of Bud in the other. Then he and his partner broke down part of the revolution to me and they used good buzzwords. They obviously didn’t know that Econ is my academic discipline, and that I know there is a difference between “globalization” and “outsourcing.” They are world class propagandists, but I would expect nothing less from people who for Larouche. I do respect them though, and I commend their commitment, but can not co-sign many of their views. And the whole “revolutionary” thing got my nerves, because everyone who voted Democrat in this election is revolutionary.
It was also pretty cool to see who endorses who. David Hardt, president of YDA, is a superdelegate, and I am eager to see who he votes for. If he is swayed by the attendees of the convention, he will go with Obama. By the way, he is great; and he represents young Democrats well. And I appreciate how much he definitely did not endorse any candidate at the convention. He spoke about commitment to whichever candidate is nominated, and young voters understand that. We, as young voters should promote this partisan discipline to older voters and even underage kids who identify themselves as Democrats; they have parents and older relatives too, and they won’t be underage forever. (By the way, I endorse Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.)
Altogether, that experience was great. They screened a hilarious clip of Daily Show, which I have no clue why I didn’t catch before. The DJ was sweet; Eminem, Jay-Z, Khaled, a blind man could walk in that room and tell it was a function for young people. The Southerner are now the forerunners for this young liberal movement, a slight difference from the traditional East Coast-led campaign is good for us now. The LBGT Dems were very cool, they made me feel comfortable. We also met members of UNITE HERE Local 681 – the Orange County labor union that represents the workers at Disneyland hotels. They are in the middle of a contract disputes with Disneyland management, including conflicts with health care provision. One Disney employee told me that he has been working there for ten years, and has a six-year-old daughter. Now he fears that his health coverage will be revoked, and he doesn't know what he will do if his daughter gets sick. That doesn't sound like the happiest place on earth, does it?
I was on the way to a rally to support the Disney employees when my car engine got hot. Perfect timing, right after I wrecked my other car. There was a leak in the water hose, and the car started steaming on the 5 right at the Disney Way exit. I thought I was stranded in the OC for good, but my father was able to come get me a few hours later. We got the car to a repair shop in Midway City, where the manager was great. We talked a bit of politics after I told where I was going. He told me how his sister is a lobbyist for a free speech organization and she works closely with a congressman from New York; then I told him how I’m a journalist and an aspiring New Yorker. That was a nice cap to the car ordeal, it took a lot of time and wore me out. Everything happens for a reason though, and God is the best planner. My time with pops was wonderful. We listened to Garrison Keillor on the radio and ate at San Giovanni Pizza in Anaheim. The owner at the pizzeria is a naturalized citizen, and this election will be his fist time voting. I told him to vote Democrat. His food is so good that if he starts campaigning, he could make Orange County blue.
Later than night, I got to chat with old friend from high school. We laughed about memories, and exchanged jokes from Laffy Taffy wrappers. She told me about her life in Arizona now and how she never needs to come to Cali again. I wanted to tell her the same thing, but that would sound stupid considering I still live in California. This was actually our first phone conversation, and we have a lot more in common than I knew. That was pleasant.
All in all, my weekend was great. I experienced my first Democratic Convention, and I’m sure it won’t be my last.
Peace,
Hanif
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