Public Speaking For Activists

THE INSTITUTE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PRESENTS…

"Public Speaking For Activists"


WHEN: Tuesday February 28th from 6:30-8:00pm

WHERE: The Union of Minority Neighborhoods
83 Highland Street
(Near the Roxbury Crossing and Jackson Square T stations on the Orange Line)

The ability to effectively communicate is what inspires and motivates people to act on issues affecting their lives. Whether it’s speaking to citizens, elected officials, or the media, what you say and how you say is the first step towards making change.

For the next three Tuesdays, beginning February 28th, let the Institute for Neighborhood Leadership’s Public Speaking For Activist help you acquire those skills. We won’t guarantee that you’ll sound like Jesse Jackson, but you might come pretty damn close!

REGISTER TODAY BY CALLING

The Union of Minority Neighborhoods at 617-541-4111

Or email us at: umnunity@att.net

Yo I rose early morning, spread my wings yawning

Vague memories of last night, but now it's all dawning

Moms is out of here in less than six hours and I have to wake up in about four to drive to the airport. Not fly. Not at all. So anyways, it's been an interesting 2006 thus far. From one extreme to the next. Life is full of surprises. You could get hit with consecutive epiphanies for days. And the shT wouldn't even matter if you got hit by a truck on Tuesday. Oh well. I guess trying to live each day as if it's your last ain't too bad an idea after all.

Let me break 'em down to size minimize they air time

Got really, really frustrated about a meeting that did not happen, that hasn't happened yet, and keeps getting cancelled or postponed. I'll accept some blame on my end. But cell phone plans with free weekend minutes will now become a minimum criteria for you to be my peoples. I'll leave it as that. Had to hit the court hard just to get my mind right. Some cheeba would have served me well. Oh well. Maybe next time. (yeah right)

Bear witness to this diligent street cat
I carry myself hold myself down in fact

There was an actual neighborhood walk on Friday night. It was dumb cold outside, but a good twenty heads braved the chilly winds and canvassed the Grove Hall area to just walk the block and greet every person we encountered. My man Ra from the old school bball days at NEU was there and we caught up. Had some straight talk with this brother named Chris Sumner, who seems to be a pretty chill clergy cat with street smarts. But it was cool. I thought we were going to be out there longer, but I didn't complain much and neither did anyone else. It was cold as a mutha out there. Unfortunately, on my way to the Bubble, it became obvious that something else was going down across the town. And sure enough, that was right. I'm just wondering how they got from Melnea Cass to Roxbury Crossing without getting stopped at Schroeder Plaza....yeah the muthafuqing police headquarters. Kinda makes me think of all the old school folks who say 'they be shooting" in front of the Chez Vous roller skating rink back in the day. Hint, Hint...Chez Vous is across the street from a police station. Man I tell ya...

Emotionally, playing him close like I'm supposed to be
-Mobb Deep f/ Raekwon the Chef, "Nighttime Vultures"

You ever laugh so hard that you cried? Or coughed so hard that you choked? Well would you believe this little mutha cried so much that he threw up?! And it's not like it was the first time, but his timing was just off, nahmean. But I guess it wasn't that bad. Aside from my stinky hand, all went well and the pretty carpet was spared. Plus, I had Moms and sis meet the new beau - whom she thinks is fly - and I'm liking the new leaf that "Yvette" and I turned. As much as I like to keep some things private, I'll let that one stay without hitting the backspace button this time. Now it's time to mentally prepare for a new week, a new month, and for the school district to go back to its regularly schedule program. Time to say a prayer...

On fake grounds never spare clowns

Prefer to chill, but the Sun can't do that
Due to my temperature tempted to bring it where your crew's at
-Heltah Skeltah, "Operation Lockdown"

A whirlwind weekend. Moms is in town to visit and enjoy some time with two of her three churn. She is one funny a$$ lady. Still the same ole jokester with stories for days though. Didn't have to do too much strong-arming this time. She got to see her grandson and catch three of her daughter's games. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd times she's ever seen her play college ball. And if they don't get a bid on Monday morning, it will be the last game RD has played as a Lady Saint. Disclaimer: If you have a sister who tends to act slow at times, then figuring out what RD means should be a cinch. If you're lost as to which slow that is, you might be her twin.

So anyways, we figured we'd diversify her taste buds a bit. Had her eating Dominican on Wednesday, Indian on Thursday, Chinese on Friday, Cape Verdean on Saturday, and steak on Sunday. I obviously did not have a say in Sunday's chosen venue. But RD did recoup some brain cells and take her to my favorite hood spot for breakfast, the Silver Slipper in Dudley Square. Mmmm, mmmm, good (and greasy...but good greasy). Grits, salmon cakes, eggs, toast, hot links french toast, turkey sausages. My mouth is watering now.

All I had was shorts and a dollar fifty

I tell you man the devil's tryin it
But I'm goin to stay strong cause I ain't buyin it
-A Tribe Called Quest, "Problems"

I drove around downtown for over half an hour, only to find out I had mistaken 10AM for 1PM and double-parking to go upstairs was all for naught.

Then, in an effort to get some good grub, venture out to Quincy to hit up this yummy Thai spot, only to find out that it's closed from 3-5 PM. So with stomachs in knots, we settle for Chinese and leave disappointed.

And to top it all off, the semifinal game that was thought to have started at 7pm, actually started at 5pm, and the halftime call I got saved the night.

Plus, I washed the car on Wed and it rained on Thursday. Man, I tell ya. Sometimes, I need to stay my a$ indoors.

Here we go with the cryin, yo he's throwin fits
My blood pressure's blowin up, I can't take the shT

Don't wait till we're dead

Don't wait 'till we're dead. They only really recognize us in the papers when we're dead. It takes 75 murders for us to even get invited to City Hall.

- a 16-year-old student at the Boston Arts Academy
[see Voices from the Streets]

I love youth movements. Whoever organized this hearing yesterday at City Hall has my high regard right about now. I keep inching and inching closer to the action, yet still disconnected enough to know about stuff like this. This has to be one of the most tangible events at which the issues of violence has been addressed in this city lately. Aside from the talking heads and peoples with good intentions, the only way to truly get some relevant results is to bring the youth to the table. Much like my mindframe on education reform, the students have to be a part of the process. Fuq the police. Fuq the city council. Fuq the community. Fuq a t-shirt. The shorties that ride the T, wait to catch buses in the cold, and walk damn near everywhere; those are the ground 'soldiers' who can make a difference. Every kid ain't thuggin it. Every little bit counts, but this gives me hope. It gives me pride. It makes me think that more people are starting to 'get it.' Time will tell.

A Call to Action

Boston TenPoint Coalition
NEIGHBORHOOD WALK
Starting at the
New Boston Pilot Middle School
270 Columbia Road in Dorchester
Friday, February 24th, 2006

If you are interested in doing neighborhoods walks to build community
and reduce violence, join us Friday.

It is important that our neighbors feel supported, both young and old.
Come ready to pass out resource packets and let residents know that
there are alternatives to violence.

This is a call to action not a call to meet – be prepared to join teams
that will be assigned streets to visit in the spirit of neighborly love
and goodwill.

Time: 9:00pm – 11:00pm
Date: Friday, February 24
Location: 270 Columbia Road, Dorchester

Teaching Calculus to Little Children

Seeing is believing and some shT is better experienced than heard. My peoples are on the verge of starting a program where kids ages seven to ten will be taking part in a pilot program in whcih they will learn advanced math concepts. An interesting concept indeed.

It is set to kick-off on Friday, March 3rd in a joint effort between several organizations who want to make an impact. The purpose of this program is to engage our children in the STEM career paths at an early age (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), thus increasing the number of minorities students of color in the STEM pipeline. The students will meet every Friday for 90 minutes and there is already a commitment from six students (and their parents) to try this thing out.

This site outlines the concept and the types of problems the students will encounter. The program will use a predefined curriculum that begins with basic multiplication tables
and fractions and builds up to calculus using elementary concepts. My homegirl Dr. ZMC breaks it down, "I explain to parents that if calculus is taught intuitively, beginning with its foundation in basic arithmetic (fractions and multiplication plus the concept of infinity and infinitesmal increments) it can be taught to 2nd graders. Also, there is "proof in the pudding" because I have talked to mathematicians who have done projects of this nature with 2nd graders (most notably, the author of the material and the the director of a math academy plus the founder of Mathmagic in Cambridge)."

Having read about the Algebra Project, the recent interest and buzz over the Numb3rs Tv show, and my own exposure to over-mis-ill-under-educated youth, I can see this poppin off lovely. Don't you?

lebs

i likes. low end blogger shT. got that from my homie K in MD. i decided to publish all 7 or 8 of the draft posts I had written over the last week or so. my bad, yo. stay up. fuq the crowd. i'mma go ahead and keep writing. keep fightin'...

An Editorial Rebuttal

In response to last week's editorial, I feel it is my duty to respond and rightly put a face to an oft-ignored group of Black males. I appluad the Banner for taking an counter-perspective at the youth 'epidemic' by honing in on the root implications a sound educational foundation provides and highlighting some of the good that comes out of the local Black community. Yet, with every brush stroke there are bound to be errant drops of paint. If we paint of picture of youth that uses the word "some", but essentially seems to apply to everyone, then its meaning loses impact, in my humble opinion.

I am hip-hop. I live it and breathe it. But I also studied hard and sought out academic success. I recited lyrics and wrote essays into the wee hours of many a night. I love how the invocation of self-awareness and academic achievement is suggested as the key solution to stemming the tide of inferiority complexes of disillusionment pervasive throughout the community. However, in the accompanying editorial cartoon, the premise that the two worlds of hip-hop/streets smarts and academics/book smarts do not converge is grossly off-base and not an accurate reflection. I have come to expect - not tolerate - such misrepresentation of hip-hop culture from the larger media outlets. But the Banner shoudl know better. I do not think it is a matter of taking a different road, but more of taking the road less traveled. It is a cliche used many times before, but the two worlds do co-exist. Just like not all Black people are criminals or good dancers, not all Black and Latino youth are ill-informed, illiterate gangsters. Only proper representation, awareness, and acknowledgement of the youth voice will enable us to work collectively on addressing the face our communities.

I'm smoother than Velvet my lyrics is well writ'

I'm Uptown's smoothest, my first album left you clowns clueless

Feb 15th marks the passing of one ill cat; none other than the MVP himself; Big L. Now, don't get it twisted. Just about any hip-hop cock-jocker is a bigtime fan, but let's just say me and my man L go back like Honey Buns and Now-R-Later's. I still have his first album - cover and all - and some of the classic throwback joints that you will never, ever hear on the radio. Mind you, this is in the era when Jay-Z was only on this album or Original Flavor's. Back when Cam & Mase were still peoples and hadn't yet sold out or sold their souls for dollar bills. So pour a li'l something out for my man repping Harlem. And if there was ever a tribute song that truly moved you, peep Tribute, the collabo joint that my peoples DITC did to honor their fallen homie.

Blow Me, ApplyWeb.com

Ain't it odd how inanimate objects are the focus of our most heated, demented, fierce, and malicious thoughts. But how would I look like punching the shT out of a web site?! So I needs to gets up on some new information for the application I sent in a few weeks ago. And I am not feeling the smell of this already. Hopefully, everyone I need the info from will be just as receptive (and responsive) as usually and won't simply chalk it up to my chronic, procrastinating a$$. I wonder if this monitor is insured...

How to look good on television

Classes just ended for the day at the schools adjacent to my office and I'm sitting here preparing for one of my students to swing by. Why? Because we are set to appear on a local cable-acces show called, Ready For College this Thursday. So let's just say that ole girl is a little rough around the edges. She reminds me alittle of myself with her cursing. But dammit, if I gotta tell her to watch her mouth during our Wed sessions one more time..

So anyways, we will be talking about our unique little program here where students work as technology consultants. Naturally, they don't want to hear from just me, so I'm bringing her along for the show as well. Hopefully, it will be a breeze, but just in case, lemme go ahead and print out these tips and get our scripts and pitches together so we can make our mark. Plus, we need to figure out a way to get this thing recorded. Word.

Fortified Emotions

I am the first of the last and last of the solemn
Hitherforth known as the muthafuqa who came up from the bottom

Drenched in puddles of sweat for the years of my toil
I get gassed when I make some cold-blooded b!tches veins boil

I soiled my life's plan for a whim in search of greener pastures

Although in hindsight it enraptures my mind
cuz it never really about being on the same playing field.

They say all's fair in love and war
yet i'm still adrift with just my words and my bond
never fond of fighting when there ain't shT to be fighting for
Take the highs with the lows in stride and move on

i am that neo-negro without the open-toes
yet when the valves are closed
i bare my soul infrequently
cuz I ain't gonna let you just tamper with my ticker

I suppose I could just start anew and wish upon a star
but all this next lifetime shT be getting to my head, son
Moons and flying comets by flickering in my daydreams

So, I...in turn, internalize all of the collective faults that
have hindered me in my past and get all textbook wit 'em

put 'em down on perforated pages or wherever i can fit 'em
and humble myself with the pralysis of analysis

try to take those managerial anecdotes from the working world
and assess which ones are poised to clash with my mind's view of who I am

Cuz for all of my aloffness, I guess there's really only one recourse

Maybe I should just take a dive into the deep abysss of apathy
Let life walk by and stop trying to try

Hell, my CORI showed that I caught a felony charge for callous disinterest a few years back
And got diagnosed with a case of detached nonchalance more recently

I was conflicted

Do I want shorty with the Galant?
Or the one who brought balance to my scales
Accord to my discontent
Objectivity to my ego

Because what looks like crazy on an ordinary day
Is simply me just trying to open up
I got some shT bottled up rarely seen in its raw form
My heart bleeds chameleon green
Not really crushed by burden or broken in spirit

But I can airmail blown kisses to you in the wind for days
Though it still won't do sht for me
So I'll resort to a ritual a sedated solitude
Planning the next move
Hoping I can have just one more chance
to show you i can love you how you want to be loved

Cuz I heard birds chirp louder when they know you have butterflies

And I be havin dreams of chocolate covered watermelons filled with fried chicken like pinatas

I am that timeless n!gga that swings on pendelums like vines
through mines of boobytrapped minds that are enslaved by time

Caught wind of some mild controversy over an English teacher's usage of the N word and his defense rationale. Had a few minor discussions about my thoughts on the issue. I can understand the thought process involved for him to invoke it as a quick-thinking rebuttal. But like my music, you gotta have balance. I do not think I use the word that frequently, although I do partake in slinging it like jumbos on the block every now and then; mostly on this sit though. And yes, it has a vile and toubled history. Yes, it can and has ben used as a term of endearment. Yes, it can take on a variety of meanings based on pronunciation, spelling, enunciation, and inflection. Yet, it is not the end of the world. To separate its use fom certain people does no more than censor and discriminate people ho may at times be trying to make an effot to adapt or undertsnad something foreign to them as opposed to being in that historical role of the oppressor. My opinion, right?

So whatever. But I do want you to take a listen to this piece here by Saul Williams for an alternate reality. For anyone familiar with the movie, Slam, this is the piece he performed near the movie's ending. It is both moving and profound in its subtle depth. At the time of its release, had already made a little bit of noise writing and performing locally. But yes, that is a dream long since deferred. However, my renewed interest, desire, and inspiration to write and perform again has turned a new page. I now hope to be more fully engaged in the local scene with some hands-on, bhind-the-scenes work to imulate my mind and (hopefully) get my creative juices flowing as well. We'll se about that. But nontheless, I hope to begin writing some new pieces and making some regular appearances to shake loose those cobwebs and hone my craft. But in the meantime, have an earful of Sha-Clack-Clack. And if you happen to feel it like I do, holla at the god.

Reap what you sew, nahmean.

Last month, we lost a brother whom I called a Living Legend; Mr. Norm Conklin. In effort to shine light on someone really repping who is still here with us in the physical to share their experiences, i sought out a Mr. Ted Landsmark an invited him to speak to our NSBE chapter. Suffice it to say, I was floored, humbled, and honored to be in his presence. Aside from the formality of ararnging for a guest speaker and confirming logistics and a topic to focus on, I knew the most beneficial outcome of having Mr. Landsmark would prove to be his unique insight for the assembled group of young profesionals of color. Inspiration comes in many shapes and sizes, but when it comes so casually informally, and sincerely; well that makes all the more difference.

For the unaware, I'll back it up a bit. Rewind, selector. Before many young Black folks move to Boston, they usuallyget the warning - from someone - that the city is racist. Much of that stigma stems from the desegregation and busing issues of the 1970's. However, one image stands out amongst them all. On April 5, 1976, a large group of teens flcoked to downtown's City Hall to stage an anti-busing protest. After leaving the City Council's chambers, a group of them got real rowdy and started harassing and attacking any Black person that saw nearby. A young lawyer on his way to meeting ended up on the short end of the stick; literally. He was attacked, beaten up, and speared with an American flag on a pole. A photographer caught the incident on film and it ended up winning a Pulitzer Prize. That lawyer was Ted Landsmark.

His main focus for our discussion was not to talk about that incident, but more to talk about what he does now and how we could forge a mutually beneficial relationship. Just think of the inherent symbolism of his attack, given the weapon of choice (stars & stripes), location (home of the american revolution), and timing (200th anniversary of US).

Ted Landsmark came up. He survived that brutal attack and went on to lead a life of accomplishment and distinction. He is now the president of the Boston Architectural Center, the third largest & oldest school of its type in the country. To think that a kid from East Harlem could go through such challenges in life and persevere is an inspiring stor in itself. Yet, he did more than make us feel good about ourselves. He also challenged us to make a concerted effort to make Boston ours through civic engagement and active participation in making it a home instead of a pitstop. Truly a remarkable man. Nuff respect.

PS: Here is some footage from the April 6th broadcast of Sentaor Bill Owens speaking out after the attack.

Four Things and shT

fyi - i might stop blogging for a while. everyone else be going on sabbaticals, why can't i? nahmean.

Four jobs I've had:
1. Overnight Stock Clerk
2. Night Auditor
3. Shoe Salesman
4. Consultant

Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. Belly
2. Above The Rim
3. Do The Right Thing
4. Dumb And Dumber

Four Places I have lived:
1. Charleston, SC (north charleston & downtown)
2. NYC (east river houses)
3. Boston, MA (fenway, hyde park, jamaica plain, dorchester, & roxbury)
4. Edisto Island, SC

Four Shows I love:
1. Cosby Show
2. Cheers
3. Married With Children
4. In Living Color

Four highly-touted TV shows I detest:
1. Seinfeld
2. Friends
3. Survivor
4. Fear Factor

Four books I'd recommend to anyone, anytime:
1. Rich Dad, Poor Dad
2. Who Moved My Cheese
3. Fast Sam, Cool Slyde, and Stuff
4. The Great Gatsby

Four places I have vacationed:
1. London, England
2. Nassau, Bahamas
3. Anaheim, California
4. Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Four of my favorite dishes:
1. Sweet Potatoe Pie
2. Macaroni & Cheese and Red Rice
3. Shrimp & Grits for breakfast
4. Okra Soup

Four sites I visit daily:
1. Mine
2. Boston.com
3. Google
4. Hers

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Brooklyn
2. Sosua / Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
3. Chucktown
4. Her place

Music ShT

1) A favorite political track.
Cop Shot by Dead Prez
WOLVES by Krumbsnatcha & MOP
Tonz Of Gunz by Gangstarr

2) One of those tracks that make you dance on the dancefloor no matter what.
Treat 'Em Right by Chubb Rock
Slow Down by Brand Nubian

3) The song you’d use to tell someone you love them.
Searching by Pete Rock & CL Smooth
I'll Close My Eyes by Dinah Washington
Inspiration by Da Ranjahz & Cee-Lo

4) A song that has made you sit down and analyze it’s lyrics.
All For You by Little Brother
Respiration by Black Star & Common

5) A song that you like, that a two year old would like as well.
Hip Hop Hooray by Naughty By Nature

6) A song that gives you an energy boost.
How About Some Hardcore by MOP
Boom Bye Yeah by Sean Price

7) A song that you and your grandparents (would probably) like.
I Gave You Power by Nas

8) A song that you really liked when you were 14-16, and still really like now.
Come Clean by Jeru Tha Damaja
Suspended In Time by Group Home
Operation Lockdown by Heltah Skeltah

9) A sad song that would be in the soundtrack of the movie about your life.
Love Comes & Goes by Edo G
I Wish by Carl Thomas
They Reminisce Over You by Pete Rock & CL Smooth

10) A peppy song that would start the opening credits of the movie about your life.
Be by Common
Hip Hop by Royce Da 5'9"
I'm Black by Styles P

11) A good song from a genre of music that no one would guess that you liked.
Mama Look A Boo Boo by Harry Belafonte

12) A song that you think should have been playing when you were born.
I Gotcha Opin by Black Moon
Step Into A World by KRS One
My Life by Styles P & Pharoah Monche

13) A favorite artist duo collaboration.
DWYCK by Gangstarr featuring Nice & Smooth
Jay-Z and MOP: 4 Alarm Blaze, Put It In The Air, U Don't Know (Remix)

14) A favorite song that yowu completely disagree with (politically, morally, commonsensically, religiously etc.)
Ante Up by MOP
I Love You (B!tch) by Sean Price

15) The song that you like despite the fact your IQ level drops several points every time you listen to it.
Gangsta B!tch by Apache

16) Your smooth song, for relaxing.
I Used To Love H.E.R. by Common
U Know How We Do by Bahamadia
Fall In Love by Slum Village

17) A song you would send to someone you hate or are mad at.
Who Shot Ya by Notorious BIG
Stay Real by Black Moon
You Gots To Chill by EPMD

18) A favorite track from an outfit considered a “super-group.”
Crossover by EPMD
Scenario by ATCQ & LONS

19) A song that makes you reminisce about good times with a family member.
Poison by BBD
Renee by Lost Boyz

20) Your favorite song at this moment in time.
What We Had to Do by KRS One, OC, & L Da Headtoucha
State of Grace by Raekwon

Mic Check, 1, 2

The Flava Flav show is ridiculously funny. But I cannot support that shT. It's like me buying a Mase album. Anyways, a Big Happy Birthday shout-out to sis in ATL. Keep holding it down for the fam, going for your dreams, and aspiring to goals larger than life. And as always, I got your back. Fuq a setback. Go for yours, shorty. With love, big bro.

What's a black man without his paranoia?

Dave Chappelle was on Oprah the other day and had a rather interesting interview, to say the least. What struck me the most was his realization that - although mad funny - his material was socially irresponsible. Getting a little deeper into it, when a staffer laughed at him as opposed to with him - during a skit that involved the use of blackface - he said that shT messed him up. Pretty interesting thoughts overall. And he's still dumb funny. "Who goes from America to Africa for medical attention?" Sometimes, it takes simple sht to point out the obvious. Alas, the obvious can be painful. But with the bad comes the good. Tis life. And tis the reason I look forward to another day.

It's very easy to do wrong, and it's hard to do right.

N!ggas be eyeing me down
Wanna be my appetite for destruction
But I'm dieting now.
-Phonte (of Little Brother), "On & On"

the context of the title

The LB fellas were in town tonight, but it was not the show I had expected. And now it makes sense why I didn't find out about the show until 2/3 days before. They weren't the headliner act AND it was on Landsdowne Street. Wackness personified. This other group named Fort Minor were the main attraction and I've heard some of their tracks because one of mentees is feeling them, but it is not the stuff of lore. So whatever. By the time I rolled up, the LB set was already taking place AND there was ony about 15 minutes left. And I don't make more than a doller a minute, so an about-face is what the doorman got. I'll just have to wait until thay come back to town and hit up the Paradise like last time. Plus, the line and crowd were covered in snow. I'm fine with hip-hop's diversity, but sometimes you wonder who the hell puts on these shows. Definitely some under the radar shT. Not too mention that Fort Minor's songs NEVER even get played on 88.9. You know why? Because they fuqing suck. Well, at least that's my theory. But yet again, the dudes on the grind pushing the envelope of artistry still get seated at the back of the bus of marketing & promotion.

Saturday will be a whirlwind marathon of a day that I am in no way prepared for, so hopefully I'll make it through it unscathed. The Lady Saints have an away game and Springfield is not working out with the day's schedule, so the #1 fan will have to sit this one out. But hopefully the midget won't still be whining like he has been this past week. Definitely not a good look. Crossing fingers...

Boston Charter School Showcase

Learn about the 16 public charter schools in the Boston area, serving students in grades K-12, at the 6th Annual Citywide Charter School Exposition.

The Showcase will be held at UMASS-Boston on Saturday, February 4th from 9am - 12pm.

Charter School Showcase Flyer (PDF file)

Puff backwards with tan timbs and black hoods

You gangsta, but testifying for immunity
Write your eulogy, time to close your window of opportunity
-Rasco f/ Ed O.G., Reks, "Gunz Still Hot (Remix)"

The n!ggas are back. The past four days has seen a return to the wild west shT of last year. One dude got popped in the club, another three caught bad ones (two fatally) in the middle of the night in a parking lot, some chick got shot in her ankle while on her front porch, two more got hit in the face last night, and many guns have been confiscated. You would have thunk we'd get off to a bettrer start this year, but NOOOOO. Some n!ggas need hugs. Some n!ggas need to get stomped out. Or shot. Hey, sometimes I can see where police brutality is necessary. The closer and closer the shootings hit home, the more and more likely I'm liable to know someone involved on either end. Unfortunately, I happened to be at one of the school today and saw a young woman with whom I had interacted on several occasions. Upon my asking about her day-to-day, I learn that she was very close to one of the now deceased from this past weekend. A very sad feeling immediately ruffled thrugh my veins. And then anger. She played it cool, but it was obvious she had shed plenty of tears the past 48 hours. And that shT ain't fair. Especially for this young woman with the rest of her life ahead of her. This is not to say it's gonna throw a wrench in everything, but really though. She - nor anyone else - should have to go through bullshT like this. It is saddening, maddening, and fuqs up my whole psyche. Just not a good look.