Enterprising businessmen shoot dice on the corner

Excuse me while I light my spliff but some choose to sip
So bullets hit brains, when bottles hit lips

I had the fortune to get invited to the inaugural meeting of Mayo Menino's Hip-Hop Roundtable. Headed up by a brother by the name of Larry Mayes, it was a gathering of host of hip-hop artists, activists, educators, and enthusiats all brought in to work on a collaborative effort to bring infuse hip-hop culture throughout the city in meaningful, positive ways that do the culture proper justice.

Who got the cocaine?
Don't tell me it's the little kids on Soul Train

I knew a few heads in the room from previous interaction, as there were also folks there whom I had heard of but never really met. To say the least, there was an enormous amount of tangible passion in the conference room - so much that you could feel it. I'll admit I had my hesitation about the gathering because of its timing. While the announcement made sure to recognize hip-hop in its entirety, I felt it was simply being used as a pawn to combat the recent wave and surge in youth violenece. And it's not that I'm not all for that. I just don't want 'positive' hip-hop to be seen as the only solution for it, which would imply that 'hip-hop' in general is the problem.

Subliminal hypnotism and colonialism
leaves most nigga$ dead or in prison
In Crook-land, right hand cuts off the left hand
to spite the hand, jealous of the next man

But nevertheless, the meeting went well. Some great ideas and thoughts. I wasn't feeling the discussion too much, though there were tons of valid points made. But I did like how we jumped in to solution-mode, where soapboxes were limited and tangible ideas had to be thrown out to all. There are a host of things going on and already planned, such as the Start Peace Movement and the UMMF 11th Anniversary Show. It made me realize the extent of the activism of the local scene and its struglle for recognition, support, and legitimacy. It strengthened my resolve to support Project Hip-Hop in a more visible role and start to do a lot more networking with all of these folks out there working with youth and for youth to make this city a better place for us all. What more could you ask for?