BlackBerry Chronicles: "God"

14th Street F station

I saw this one day as I was leaving my internship in the city headed back to Queens. It reminded me of an excerpt from the book I am currently reading Uncle Tom's Children by Richard Wright.

Yeah, but its different now, son. Its the people! Theys the ones whut mus be real t us! Gawds wid the people! N the peoples gotta be real as Gawd t us! We cant hep ourselves er the people when wes erlone. Ah been wrong erbout a lotta things Ah tol yuh, son. Ah tol yuh them things cause Ah thought they wuz right. Ah tol yuh t work hard n climb t the top. Ah tol yuh folks would lissen t yuh then. But they wont, son! All the will, all the strength, all the power, all the numbahs is in the people! Yuh cant live by yoself! When they beat me tonight, they beat me.... There wuznt nothin Ah could do but lay there n hate n pray n cry.... Ah couldnt feel mah people, Ah couldn't see mah people, Ah couldn't hear mah people.... All Ah could feel wuz tha whip cuttin mah blood out....

God, in an interpretive sense, is deliverance from transgressions. God's (or any higher being for that matter) presence is felt through collectivism. That is, the people on separate paths working towards one common goal keeping in mind the well-being of one another. When there is division amongst a people, their strength is diminished, leaving them to be easily targeted and persecuted by outsiders. History has proven that "a people united will never be defeated." 

For us to be united, we must believe.

The Resolution

After much stalling and excuse-making, I've decided it is time for me to return. For a while I've been searching for the words to convey the necessity of my extended hiatus. I thought they had come to me, those words, but I was taught that when you think you know the answer to something, think again. Today, not more than five minutes ago, I found those words. Like much of my inspiration, it came to me in music. The words of McKenzie Eddy at the end of Currensy's track "Silence" said it better than I possibly would have myself.

"How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live."

How beneficial is my message to you if I'm ignorant to the world we live in? In my last post I talked of the journey I set out on, not to find myself, but my purpose. As my perspectives began to change I realized that I lacked a platform; I had no mission behind my words. Now from a matured mindset I speak with a vision.

The journey is far from over, and I doubt it will ever end. But with each bit of insight I gain, there's another piece of the future I can pave. I have discovered my purpose. My voice will be the one people sometimes don't want to hear, but it's what they need to. You may not feel me now, but I'm convinced that later you will. I have challenged myself to change the world I live in by changing myself. Now, I challenge you all to join me. There is work to do.

To put it simply, I'm back.

Holiday Message

First off, Happy Christmahannakwanzaa to you all. I hope this time is filled with joy, love, and blessings for you all. I know some of you have been alarmed by my absence and lack of blogging recently. As I am growing in age I find it important for me to grow in mind. The latter months of 2010 I have spent indulging in the lessons of history that provide guidance on how to become a better person, a person who speaks with knowledge as their platform.

I find it only fair to convey messages to my audience that I follow and take heed to. To be the sincere self-empowerment advocate I hope to one day be, I must make changes to myself. The process has not been less than difficult, but someone once said that anything worth having would not be easy to obtain. This cleansing, in a sense, has not been understood by many, and has led to the mutual dismissal of allies. I can only believe that this is the price that comes with it. 

Nonetheless, I also find it imperative to include you all in this journey in hope that I can inspire one person at a time to take a deeper look into how our values shape the world we live in. Starting the first of the new year, we will begin taking this journey together.

Until then, peace and love to you and yours. Remember the reason for the season. 

Quote of the Day

"I feel bad for toilets somedays."

- @ReesonableDoubt

Could you imagine being a toilet? That has got to be the shittiest job ever *corny drum roll*. But it's also got to have its entertaining perks.

I could picture it now:

a toddler runs into the bathroom doing the pee-pee dance
 "Ah man, here comes the sprinkler."
an old man brings in a magazine and matches 
"Bombs away."
a college student stumbles in at 2:30 am 
"Face down, ass up!"
a couple slips in the door half-dressed
"I never saw this part of Pussy Town before!"

I feel like toilets see it all... if only inanimate objects had the ability to write. Next time you go into the bathroom, think "what would be toilet say in its book about me?"

Pussy

sometimes the quest for pussy ends up in
first a detour
up high mountains
fourteen something odd thousand feet
of sweat and aching legs then cold bones when the storms roll in
and near moments of losing your soul
down badlands
of red dirt and the memories of rivers
haunting you
while you lick the dust from your bleeding lips
and cringe under the devil’s sun
wishing for that taste of water
and hoping like hell that when you find it
it does more than just quench your thirst.

-Esteban A. Martinez

Detachment

I sit here behind this screen, reluctant to type more than a simple message to address my absence. 

During this period of this transformation, more so a self-development project, I can't seem to find stability with my thoughts. As I figure them out I will deliver them in a manner that reflects the expansion of knowledge I care to share.

I can tell you this; the dictionary has become one of my favorite reads.

Photo of the Day

"This photo was inspired by you!"

I was touched to receive this picture and to know that I played an inspirational part in its existence. Nudity is an under-appreciated expression of freedom, taken for granted by those who are blind to the beauty of a human body. It is also a misused attraction for sexual attention. None the less, I love seeing that people aren't ashamed of their bodies, and aren't afraid to show it. Society has misconstrued the acceptable standards of nudity, especially when it is being displayed in an artistic taste.

Embrace your natural curves, rolls, stretch marks. Imperfections are what make our body's aesthetically pleasing in the sense that no one of us is made the same.

Shouts to my girl @IllRollYourDoob ! You and your body are a blessing.

The History of 420

Just finished watching this video. High Times knows how to appeal to their audience: CARTOONS!

In commemoration of High Time Mag's 420th issue.

Video done by Evan York.

Reflection...

The other day while I was in the city I saw a man with a bucket:

Help the Homeless.

Do you have any change to donate? Mariah and I reach for our wallets and a group of tourists approach from behind. Picture this: a group of middle-aged women, necks craned to the sky, sporting city branded t-shirts and Liberty hats, headed for the coach bus preparing to depart Broadway.

The bucket man called out to them. Ladies, would you care to help the homeless?

As if their entire night had been ruined by raining prunes, the women looked at the man, seemingly in an attempt to avoid looking at his imaginary third eye. Smiles and giggles replaced with gaping mouths and blank stares. In sync with one another, the women turned on their heels and continued on their way, a silent yet blatant dismissal of the call to service.

Me being who I am, I looked at the women, almost in disbelief. It amazes me how people can find the most important people of our world to be the least significant.

That man playing the buckets in the subway.

Even that convict-turned-Christian distributing pamphlets.

What about the woman who made the F train her home?

From the outside looking in, New York City is place to come for the best shopping and attractions.
Lion King on Broadway... Fashion Night Out on 5th Av... Knicks at Madison Square Garden

Blinded by these attractions. visitors lack appreciation for what NY really is: a concrete jungle, where only the resourceful survive, and the poor make the city rich. Rich in culture, diversity, art, and history.

Living here for over a year now, I've grown to love New York as my second home. One of the things I love most about being here is knowing that everyday I will meet someone new and see something different. It isn't the bright lights and designer stores that draws me in; it's those people I never expect to cross paths with. It isn't the rich I care to mingle with, those aren't the people I relate with. I much more value the homeless I share my food with, the starving artists I indulge with... those are the one's I care to be amongst. The ones that face the back of society's ugly head... the ones that can never get a break... the ones that get passed by the tourists.

The poor of this place bring the city it's wealth. Help them, or prepare for reverse gentrification.

Words from the Wise

"When I play anything I'm playing to win. Don't get it twisted. I don't play any game or sport without the goal totally focused on winning. It that ever changed for me, I just wouldn't play. I HATE losing, anyone cool with losing stay the hell away from me and my team! You won't ever win anything at a high level without this mindset."

- Lloyd Irvin Jr.

One of the wisest men I have ever met and will ever know. I am honored to say I graced the same mat with him and trained under him. 

Quote of the Day

So we're sitting here at this table. Waiting for the Black Solidarity Day march to start. 

We're a little high... Well. Yea. 

This guy walks over to the table with some wings from a vendor in the school cafe. He sits down at the table in front of us... he's actually sitting there now. Still. On the phone. 

And I guess Marley was insulted.

"Oh, so he just gon' come over here with that oppressed-bought food?!"

*I died*
I'm still weak.

Black Solidarity Day

If I see you on campus today, I expect to see you in black... all black.

It was all inspired by a play. "A Day of Absence" by Douglas Turner Ward tells the story of a Black community that mysteriously disappears, causing the government to suffer. This depicted the social, economic, and political power of African Americans. 

In 1969 this day was created on the campus of Brooklyn college by Dr. Carlos E. Russell. It is observed the Monday before Election Day as a day to remind the nation of the communal strength of the Black population. The original tradition calls for all African Americans to abstain from working, attending school, and shopping.

But why?

The Mission:

"Black Solidarity Day is a peaceful university wide protest against injustices and inequalities that affect the black population. By creating one powerful voice through the unification of our populace we can uplift and empower our communities. We do this while demonstrating the importance of Black owned businesses and services throughout the world."

Join us today in proving the strength of our Black community. 

Don't buy food on St. John's campus! 

We will be heard.

**Make sure you get a pin and ribbon in Marillac Terrace. Information provided by today's program flyer.**

Check in later for a recap/reflection of today's events.

Quote of the Day

Mistaking ignorance for fact is the epitome of blatant stupidity.

- @ReesonableDoubt

Being ignorant doesn't make someone dumb. It's accepting that ignorance that reflects a persons intelligence. The moment you close your mind to incoming knowledge is the moment you become a dumbass.

DEFY Clothing: Fall 2010

"We are a lifestyle brand whose goal is to provide you with apparel that helps promote your own individuality and unique sense of style while at the same time giving the world a taste of DC."

 DEFY Logo -It’s our classic logo shirt. Wear it and DEFY the norms, DEFY the odds, DEFY gravity.

Great Wall-  The early emperors of China built a wall to protect their city. In 2010 the wizards drafted a “Wall” to protect ours as well. This shirt embodies the defy the odds part of our motto because the wizards didn't have the best chance to get the number one pick but we still managed to do so. DEFY the odds.

Save the Tits!

 Hello I'm- We feel that sometimes you have to be a little defiant to make a name for yourself. This shirt gives you a chance to do just that.

 Pioneer-This shirt is for the doubting toms and the naysayers who try to discourage you from accomplishing those goals that may seem impossible. Something is only impossible until someone makes it possible. Be the first to wear this shirt be a pioneer in your own right. Also inspired by the Nelson Mandela quote "It always seem impossible until it's done."

 BYE SON-  Ed Lover has C'mon Son and DEFY DC has BYE SON. Inspired by the Howard BYE SONS!.

 '

BYE SON 101

1. If you are trying to study and your friends are trying to get you to go out, tell them, "BYE SON!"
2. After you win the football game, wave to the opposing team and tell them, "BYE SON!"
3. If someone tells you that HOWARD isn't the best school in the world, tell them, "BYE SON!" and point to your shirt.
4. If someone tells you that you can't accomplish your goals, tell them, "BYE SON"

DEFY the norms. DEFY the odds. DEFY gravity

Shirts are available at defydc.com

Follow @DEFYDC on Twitter!

Support D.C. clothing! Support the movement!

The Rose That Grew From Concrete

Did u hear about the rose that grew from a crack
in the concrete
Proving nature's laws wrong it learned 2 walk
without having feet
Funny it seems but by keeping its dreams
it learned 2 breathe fresh air
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else even cared!

-Tupac Shakur