Common Sense Scholarship

Below is a wonderfully sane discussion on Isa bin Maryum (Jesus Son of Mary), and religion in general, from a fine modern day scholar, Reza Aslan. I was fortunate enough to read his book on the Taliban before, September 11, 2001. Please note his comparisons to the prophets at the end of the interview segment.

Ode to Malcolm X

They don't get it.
Why we are so enamored with you, nearly fifty years since they slayed you.
-Slayed your body, but not your soul.
They don't get why you're still alive;
Or why your shadow looms large over their puny images
- Chilling those cowards into even more histrionics as they try to be like you

They don't get you
They say that you were not original
- You were a mouthpiece; a mere follower
They try to minimize their injustices by calling you a hater..troubled...
A firebrand.
At last they say they don't get you.

They do get you --
No buck dancing
No drag racing
No restating the obvious to sound oblivious - for mental midgets
No coonin'
No cussing
No slacking --
Or joke cracking
You got down to business; the business of justice
-- Turning your foes into friends, and your detractors into fans

Still, like Cesars' Brutus and Jesus' Judas
Ploting, planning, undermining and conspiring...
They nipped at your heals and passed out daggers
They knew you would not sell out, so they sought to cancel you out

Now, like some some pitiful scavenger crows
They eat away at your legacy -- even as it grows; hoping to become you one day --
They lead a million astray.
Digital media magicians without contrition and more swagger than smarts;
More books then heart -- speaking in parts.
More access to the halls of power then to power itself
-- And no integrity to show for the money they hoe
They still don't get you.

I do.

-DP

Open Season?... Urban Youth and Law Enforcement

The problem resulting from these incidents of apparent police abuse is that they reinforce two powerful dynamics in the culture of American identity: (1) majority (white) culture criminalizing of urban (black) male conduct/image - exacerbating stereotypes and discrimination; (2) and the feeling of alienation/disconnection by the minority group (black males) from the American system of identity affirmation. This is a downward cycle with dire consequences for only one.

This dynamic perpetuates continued alienation and marginalization of urban (black) youth from the only means of redirecting this downward trajectory of justice: purposeful, collective and peaceful civil disobedience-protest.

Good Luck... Nigeria

With the African Summit in the news and the plight of those abducted Muslim girls very much no longer in the news, I think we should be asking why? Ken Saro-Wiwa knew the answer.

Good luck rescuing your daughters, Johnathan.

Investing In Silver

Silver is a great "poor man's option" -- especially at this price point. This precious metal has been trading at $20.00 - $23.00 an ounce for a year now. It is down from a high of nearly $50.00/oz  a few years ago before we started to pull out of the recession.

You should give some thought to investing in sliver as an alternative means of saving, or simply for diversifying your holdings.

Forever Hustling

Warning foul language: Mature audiences only

Has anyone taken note of how when Russell Simmons talks about black people he never uses the term us or we? To the contrary, he is quick use the term niggers when talking about young black people. This is the same guy who crossed a line that most inner city gangsters would not cross when he made/approved of an ignorant and demeaning parody of one of our greatest ancestors. I know a number of black folks who won't criticize him in hopes that some of his riches will rub off --  if they can ever get close to him.

Remember people: Before Europeans could ramp up the Transatlantic wing of the African slave trade, they needed people like Simmons to penetrate the bush first in order to bring out captives for the dungeons on the beach. No doubt.

The Nneka Truth

Okay, so I enjoy listening to interesting people. My favorite subject of late is Nigerian artists, Nneka Egbuana. Her music is hip, soulful and very fresh.  The woman has pipes too. Probably what fascinates me most is her apparent authenticity and candor. She is someone whom American youth should know better. I have been watching interviews she has given and the sure sign of an intelligent person is one who takes their time to listen and think before answering. I especially love how she does not take litmus tests, and that she does not exercise acts of vanity or feign docility in her responses -- behavior far too common among popular American personalities. Culturally speaking, young people today are in good hands with the likes of Damian Marley, Lupe Fiasco and Nneka Egbuana.

In an example of how positive people have exponential impact, Nneka has inspired me to learn more about activist Ken Sariwia. One Love.