"So Disappointed.."

Good afternoon, everyone. Today I want to take a look at an idea that has been gaining momentum among my peers. I understand that things in America today could stand to be a lot better; unemployment is high, test scores are low, and the inequality gap is perhaps wider than it's ever been in our country's history. The other day I was contemplating the many ills facing this country and a single statement crossed my mind. It was quiet at first, but as I continued to muse, it grew louder and louder until it blocked out all other thoughts in my mind;

"IF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WERE ALIVE TODAY, HE'D BE SO DISAPPOINTED."

"I FROWN upon you! And you. And you. And you."

I'm pretty sure we've all heard this statement at one time or another; it is usually muttered by those of us who are disillusioned with the end result of the civil rights struggle and it usually follows the latest Tyler Perry movie or Worldstar Hip Hop fight. As this statement loomed in my mind, I asked myself, "how do we know?" Sure there's a possibility that MLK would be saddened at the state of the black community today; but we've also made several strides since the civil rights era that he'd likely be quite proud of as well.

Of course, this is all speculation. The closest we can get to knowing whether MLK would be disappointed in us is to look at the people who worked alongside him when he was alive, like Rev. Jesse Jackson. Now I'm not the biggest Jesse Jackson fan, but I do respect the work he's done in the past for our people. He knew Martin Luther King and was one of the people on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel when King was assassinated.

"Hahaa look that guy's car is gettin towed." 

Jackson and MLK were good friends; he knew MLK's views and what he stood for, so I think it's safe to say that his views of the black community today are pretty similar to what MLK's would be. And according to this article, he doesn't seem so much disappointed as he is CONCERNED about the issues we face today. I'm sure MLK's attitude would be similar. 

But then again, maybe it would be like this

While I'm on the topic, I want to bring up the subject of the second most popular "so disappointed" statement, Tupac Shakur. Hip-hop heads today swear up and down that if Pac were alive today, he'd either be really sad or reeeeeally angry. After all, 2pac was "REAL" hip-hop, nothing like that garbage that pollutes the airwaves today...but the thing about 2pac is that since he was killed at such a young age, he's forever immortalized in our minds as the angry bandana-wearing 20-something we've all come to revere. A permanent icon of hip-hop's golden age, he's been cemented in America's culture alongside greats like Elvis, Cher, Madonna, etc. Thus, it's understandable why some might feel that today's rap music is a blatant slap in the face of his legacy.

"IF 2PAC WERE ALIVE TODAY, HE'D BE SO DISAPPOINTED."

What makes us so sure? I wonder about Ice Cube sometimes. If he had been gunned down in his NWA days, would we hold his legacy in the same regard? Would we instead say, "if Ice Cube were alive today, he'd be so disappointed?" I hope not. Because in this reality where Cube has managed to survive all these years, we all know which direction his life has taken.

So who knows? If 2pac were alive today, maybe he'd be the one making family movies and bickering with beer bottles. He certainly wouldn't be a 25-year old firebrand leading a protest against mainstream hip-hop, flying around and throwing concerts on the sun. No, he'd be damn near 50 and probably too tired to even care about 2 Chainz and his impact on hip-hop.

He'd probably be married to Jada Pinkett, too.

In closing, I just want to say that it is important to honor and learn from the heroes who have come before us; but wondering if they'd be disappointed in us today is a waste of time. What we should do is take their lessons and apply them to our lives in order to better ourselves and the world. That's all we can do.

-Nick G.

The Last Dandelion

Good day, readers. Thanks for taking time to check out yet another installment of my latest random ramblings. Today I just want to talk to you all about a thought that crossed my mind during one of my 7-hour drives from North Carolina to Tennessee. Don't ask why, but today I want to talk for a minute about....dandelions.

That's right.

Why dandelions? Well ever since I can remember, dandelions have always been around; I distinctly remember them in both "regular flower" form and the form of wispy white seed balls that excited all children my age. Growing up however, I learned that these plants are widely considered pests--weeds to be sprayed with toxins and eradicated. What I really wondered as I drove down 75 North was....why? After all, the dandelion isn't a particularly offensive plant. It's a pleasant yellow color; it doesn't have thorns nor does it produce a foul odor. And it's very likely that many people aren't aware of it's several medicinal uses. After a few minutes of pondering, I reached the conclusion that perhaps dandelions are considered weeds simply because they are common. And if this is the case, it sure speaks to the pettiness of the human race. 

Many people don't like dandelions because they choke grass, making it difficult to grow a nice lawn. I can see this as a sound reason for wanting to get rid of them; but what if the reality is that dandelions realize their rightful place on Earth and are simply defending their territory? What if these dandelions that so many view as weeds are really just God's own misunderstood foliage? I began to ponder just how quickly our collective attitude toward these plants would change if there ever came to be only one left in existence. Would it then be revered? Would it be placed in a special greenhouse under 24-hour surveillance to ensure its survival and re-population? Or would it be allowed to wither and die--and with it the childhood pastime of plucking them and blowing those wispy balls until all that's left is a parade of seeds drifting off?

If you apply the dandelion metaphor to other things in life, it really makes you start to think. All I'm saying is, if you hate something, know WHY you hate it. If you want to get rid of something, know WHY you want to get rid of it.

These are the sort of things I think about.

-Nick G. 

What I've learned in Tennessee (so far)

Good day, everyone. As you may or may not be aware, I graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a degree in English back in May of this year.

It's like a resume I can wear, yo. 

Though it didn't register immediately, the moment I strolled across that stage I OFFICIALLY became adult as hell. The following days were filled with the expected revelry and celebration; but after that died down, I was faced with the sobering realization that I couldn't chill at my mother's house for much longer if I expected to move forward. I considered my next move carefully and eventually decided to take up residence with my uncle in Tennessee for a while; having spent my whole life in North Carolina, I felt a change of scenery was in order (also he said I could stay rent-free so....yeah lol). Long story short, I came to Chattanooga in September and have since gotten a job and pretty much settled myself in.

Being in Tennessee has been...different, to say the least. Having attended an HBCU for the past 4 years, I had gotten pretty used to being surrounded by black people; so imagine my reaction when I left NC and went from this:

To this: 

That's right. Out here I'm not only around a much greater number of Caucasians...but they're all pretty old too. I told my mom and she suggested I try to find the NAACP chapter around here so I can find some people to hang with (hahaa). I'll admit, it's been quite hard finding people to hang with so far; pretty much everyone I've encountered so far has been old. But being here and away from home, I've learned a few things these past few months.

First of all, I've experienced the feeling of being off work and able to actively pursue your life until the next time you go back; this may be the best thing about graduating from college. While I was in school, I didn't realize how much work I really did. Not only did I have my classes, but I was actively involved in several organizations on campus. When I wasn't busy with extracurricular shid, I was doing homework, studying, or something of the sort. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised the first day I clocked out at work and realized that.....I literally had no other responsibilities that day. There's something invigorating about knowing that you are in complete control of your own life; I could literally buy a plane ticket and fly to Spain if I wanted, so long as I was back to work when my shift rolled around. I realized that outside of my time on the job, I owed no explanation to anyone for anything. 

Speaking of work, I spent my first month in Tennessee in Nashville training for my job. For those of you who do not know, Nashville is known for being a mecca for country music lovers. Perhaps I was there a bit too long, but I found myself developing an appreciation for country music, particularly this number by a band I'd never heard of before called Montgomery Gentry. That song and others I heard like it made me begin to understand Cowboy Troy. 

I like this joint too, I can't lie. 

Like rap, country music is all about telling a story. Some songs are sad, while others are about partying and having a good time; and if there's anything I'm down for, it's partying and having a good time. So I rocks with it. 

Lastly, being here has given me a chance to really capitalize on my Greek affiliation. While in Nashville, I visited both TSU and Fisk University and sought out my Sigma bros to show me around town and fill me in on what they did for fun around there; in this I was successful. I've even gotten up with the alumni chapter here in Chattanooga....but turns out they're all old, too. 

You know you settin up these tables, right? 

But I've got a good number of months left here so I'm just enjoying the ride. 

-Nick G. 

My take on Phil Robertson's remarks

Friends, as I'm sure you're all aware, Phil Robertson of A&E's hit television program "Duck Dynasty" has recently landed himself in hot water due to some comments he made in an interview with GQ Magazine. In the interview, he made clear his views regarding homosexuality:

"It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man's anus. That's just me. I'm just thinking: There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I'm saying? But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical."

"Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."

"And that's all I've gotta say about that."

Shortly after his remarks were released, the nation proceeded to LOSE IT. Under pressure from countless outraged Americans and GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), A&E decided to suspend Robertson from the show and groveled for the forgiveness of those whom his words had so deeply offended. Now...I can understand A&E's rationale for this; it is a network viewed by millions of people daily, a good number of which I'm sure are homosexual. Thus, I can see how it was in the execs' best interest to distance the network from Robertson's remarks. I understand why some are outraged that Robertson brought bestiality into the discussion; however, I DON'T understand why people are outraged that he feels so strongly about homosexuality. I've seen Duck Dynasty only a handful of times, but from the few times I've watched it, I can tell that the Robertson family are fundamental Christians ("Fundamental" meaning they believe in the "fundamental" word of the Bible -- they take the word literally, not symbolically). Of COURSE he's going to feel the way he does about homosexuality; like it or not, the Bible clearly states that it is a sin. This does not make Robertson bigoted or ignorant, just a religious man who said the wrong thing the completely wrong way at the wrong time.

In the same interview, Robertson also made some controversial remarks regarding the attitude of African-Americans in the 60s South:

"I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I'm with the blacks, because we're white trash. We're going across the field.... They're singing and happy...I never heard one of them, one black person, say, 'I tell you what: These doggone white people'—not a word!... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues."

As a black man, I'm sure many people would expect me to be furious at this statement, but I am not. 

Though Robertson's tone in this statement did strike me as a bit patronizing, I think it all goes back to his obvious lack of diplomacy. Perhaps, in his opinion, African-Americans DID seem happier back then than they do now; I'm pretty sure we weren't killing each other as much, hooked on drugs, or contracting as many diseases so, hey. Doesn't make or break me how he feels about us one way or the other. And that's all I'm trying to get at. I don't condone homosexuality, but I have many gay friends and family members who I love and who know I will jump to their defense at the drop of a hat. I understand that there are some who don't believe in religion; I feel that they have a right as human beings to do whatever they feel is right so long as they're happy doing it and not harming anyone. If someone is gay, straight, black, white, Muslim, Christian, whatever -- they can't allow every criticism to get under their skin. This situation reminds me of both the Chick-Fil-A and Paula Deen situations from many months ago. I felt the same way about those situations as I do about this one; both Dan Cathy and Paula Deen had every right to express how they felt and we as Americans had every right to either agree or ignore them. Simple as that. 
In closing, Robertson released a statement after being booted from the show that I think is well worth sharing:

"I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other."

Yes. 

Saturday Afternoon Freestyle

Just a few bars I came up with yesterday. Y'all lemme know what ya think.




I'm in the middle of the Serengeti eatin' seasoned beef and spaghetti
on camelback with a jacket on. I'm back at home.
My raps alone oughta crack ya bones
And eff two cents, I brought a nickel, son. Leave Jack alone.
I had a dream I killed the whole Illuminati.
Pulled up in a new Bugatti and opened fire on everybody.
I'm not a killer. It's just an idea.
I shot two down for Left Eye and Aaliyah (uh!)
So now we even (uh!)
Well not really. I stood in the middle and got silly. Then dipped out.
This life will make you wanna flip out.
I wish more of us would put the guns down and pull the pens out.
Cuz with a Bic, I'm like a homie in war.
Slicker than petroleum on a linoleum floor.
So nice, it's like I'm holdin ya door. I got them opium spores.
I came to kick it and I won't be ignored.

My Baby Doesn't Smile

My baby doesn't smile
No matter what I do
I bought him a new crib
New bibs
And a pair of those little Jordans
My baby doesn't smile
It's like he knows
What this world has in store for him
I try to sugarcoat it
By the time he reaches my age
I just know this world will be better for him
But alas
No matter how many toys I buy him
No matter which Disney characters I stick to his wall
My baby doesn't smile
Mickey Mouse never seen these problems
I play peek-a-boo with him
He's unamused 
I make a funny face
He turns his lip up
I go goo goo gah gah 
And he turns away from me
I think I've offended him
It's no use
This world has made my son cynical already
Barely a year old
And he has us all figured out
My baby doesn't smile

BET Hip Hop Awards TDE Cypher

Thought I'd do something nice today and give everyone a link to download the best cypher from last night. Click here to get it. You're welcome.