You gotta jump through hoops, anger management coups

But the fact I'm still standing here today is proof that...

So there's this rapper named Murs and he's ill beyond what words can express. So I dibble and dabble hearing him rhyme over various tracks the last few years. Then he and my man 9th Wonder decide to release this collabo album and it is so fuqing dope that it literally can leave you speechless. So then they decide to do yet another one, which essentially make the first joint pale in comparison and makes you so mad that more peopel don't know about these cats. Man oh man...that's on half the story.....

So on the first album, Murs 3:16, there was this track called Walk Like A Man that I have been meaning to blog about for several months. This is my official action item to myself. That shT is ridiculous. The world needs to hear it.

So anyways, on the new album, Murray's Revenge, there' s this song called Yesterday and Today. Oddly enough, I wish I could st-st-stutter while typing to embellish what I'm trying to get across. Oh how I love hip-hop. This songs takes me to a place that I wish to never leave. I don't like being all mushy-mushy, touchy-feely with mine like a little beyyatch, but I 'll be damned if I don't shed a tear when some real shT somes on that just moves you. This song does it to me. So naturally, let's tie it all together...

(Yesterday I) Felt the most hated
I thought I couldn't take it, they said I couldn't make it
(And today I'm) Feelin' brand new
I got nothin' to lose, I'm bout to make moves
(Yesterday I) Felt the most hated
I thought I couldn't take it, I fought until I made it
(And today I'm) Feelin' brand new
I got nothin' to lose, get out my way move

The commemoration event at the African-American Institute was great. The weather turned out to be pretty good. It was a bit humid inside becaus eof some video equipment and lighting that had the thermostats buzzing, but all in all it was a success in my opinion. I got to see several faces that I had not seen in a while... some months, some years. But it's always great to see and hear and catch up with old friends, reflect on the good ole days and witness the progression of life in action.

Some folks are married. Some folks have kids (me included). Some folks look the same. While others have slimmed down (inside joke). But through it all, we were all connected in some way to the Institute. From the old school cats like Rick Johnson who was one of the founders back in the 60s to the current crop of student leaders, the old adage holds true. The more some things change, the more they stay the same. We'll always have our apathetic lot of heads in the click not down for much other than food and fun. Yet we will always have those who are about doing as opposed to just talking about it.

I look back on my college career and the different choices I've made thus far as a series of baby steps; much like the building blocks of learning - I take them for face value, derive a lesson, grown from them, and move on. It's the only way to achive progress. As the date draws near that the building will be demolished, I can the voices of those who led the struggle many moons ago like Rick and Chuck T and Dr. Motley. I can hear the echos of the 70s, 80s, and 90s as they perservered and fought for divestment, justice, and equity. I can hear the optimism, sorrow, passion, and struggle in the voices of my peers who slept beside me on conference room tables, in library aisles, mini-sofas, and computer lab chairs. I can recall the countless hours we spent in that building during the occupation that drew wide interest and attention to the growing need for cultural centers on college campuses. Hell, I even remember the late night we spray-painted some "comments" on a stone facade only to find it painted over the next morning. You win some; you lose some, right?

But through it all, I learned valuable lessons. Some friendships last beyond permeable premises. Some relationships exist in plutonic informalities. Some passions will never die for it is the will of few that champion the causes of many. Much like the call for Black leadership has rung hollow for many years, those who consider themselves leaders in the background aren't the ones publicly espusing their skills. They just continue to do their thing on the low and go for what they know.

You know them days you just got the blues
All stressed and depressed from just watchin the news
No matter what good you do it seems you always get screwed
Got you caught up in your feelings now you off in the mood

So I guess this is more a tribute to perserverence than anything. I tend to lose focus when trying to be too serious. But it's also about leadership. And life. And love. And lessons learned.

Time waits for no man and tomorrows not promised
So if shes still alive shoot a call to your momma
Cause the fighting and the drama, its just not worth it
Nobodys perfect, ain't none of us worthless
We all got a place, and we all got a purpose

Lula Petty-Edwards is a tremendously influential woman who has done much to change the lives of many young women and men who have walked the sidewalks outside of Ruggles. Keith Motley has done more for youth and young people that I can ever hope to imagine. Even some of my peers have proven themselves to be capable of huge feats while still possessing an innate humility that only makes their illness shine through even brighter.

She was standing at the bus stop, sucking on a lolli-pop
Eyes collard green, lean, thicker then a pork chop
Stop - cause I don't eat swine
But this girl was so divine that I had to make her mine

And in my poor attempts to be a better dad, I'm also trying to be a better mate. So without punishing myself for past fumbles, let's just say I really want this current situation to work. And yes, I am loathe to talk about my private life. But it needs saying. We're both putting in our investment. The ideal ROI is happiness, right? She came through today to an event that she didn't have or need to, but I just need to publicly say thank you. I know I can seem to be a busy guy at times with me and my million meetings and rallies and games and conferences and shT like that. But it meant a lot. Ain't nothing like having someone in your corner; someone on your team to hold you down. (And today I'm) Feelin' brand new. I got nothin' to lose, get out my way. Move. Word.