Squeeze the juice outta the headphones

It must be real hard for ya'll to listen
And it's sad, [when they're] too broke to pay attention
-The LOX, "All For The Love"

I love music. I have been going to concerts for a long time. I remember seeing Troop at the old Loco Records on River Avenue in North Charleston. I remember seeing Hammer at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. I remember seeing Naughty and Chubb Rock rock the King Street Palace in Charleston. I remember seeing De La Soul & A Tribe Called Quest in 1993. So anyways, suffice it to say that I have a soft spot for big speakers and sweat. Here's a special shout-out to my fellow concert lovers. And preliminary headnod [word] for the shows that I'd love to check out if financially feasible. Holla.

Tue, 2/25 - George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic @ House of Blues (Fenway), $25
Fri, 2/27 - Slick Rick @ Harpers Ferry (Allston), $20 [damn i can't go]

Sun, 3/1 - K'Naan @ Harpers Ferry (Allston), $10 [shout out to all my Kenyan peeps]
Thu 3/5 - Joe Budden @ Middle Eat (Cambridge), $20 [word]
Sun, 3/8 - J*Davey @ Harpers Ferry (Allston), $10 [word]
Fri, 3/6 & Sat, 3/7 - Rachelle Ferrell @ Scullers (Allston), $42
Mon, 3/9 - Common & Kid Cudi @ House of Blues (Fenway), $30 [word]
Fri, 3/13 - Black Moon & Smif N Wessun @ Harpers Ferry (Allston), $20 [word]
Mon, 3/16 - Busta Rhymes & Red Cafe @ Showcase Live (Foxboro), $19
Thu, 3/19 - Raphael Saadiq @ Paradise, $27 [word]
Fri, 3/20 - Maceo Parker @ Harpers Ferry (Allston), $35
Sat, 3/21 - Canibus @ Harpers Ferry (Allston), $15
Wed, 3/25 - Digable Planets @ Paradise, $20
Thu, 3/26 - Christian Scott @ Scullers (Allston) [word]
Fri, 3/27 - Lupe Fiasco @ Boston College [word]
Sat, 3/28 - Daddy Yankee @ Orpheum Theater (Downtown)
Sat, 3/28 - Dead Prez @ Harpers Ferry (Allston), $20 [word]

Wed, 4/1 - Bone Thugs N Harmony @ Showcase Live (Foxboro), $30
Fri, 4/3 & Sat, 4/4 - Ashford & Simpson @ Scullers (Allston)
Mon, 4/6 - Fred Wesley and the New JBs @ Harpers Ferry (Allston), $12
Mon, 4/6 - Seal @ Orpheum Theater (Downtown)
Thu, 4/9 - GZA/Genius @ Harpers Ferry (Allston), $25 [word]
Sat 4/11 - Termanology @ Middle East (Cambridge), $10
Wed, 4/15 - Bilal @ Scullers (Allston), $25 [word]
Fri, 4/17 - Dr. Lonnie Smith @ Scullers (Allston), $25 [word]
Tue, 4/28 - KRS One @ Harpers Ferry (Allston), $25 [word]

Fri, 5/8 - Etta James @ House of Blues (Fenway), $38
Fri, 5/8 - EnVogue @ Showcase Live (Foxboro), $27
Fri, 5/8 & Sat, 5/9 - Oletta Adams @ Scullers (Allston)
Sat, 5/9 - Boyz II Men @ Showcase Live (Foxboro), $35

Fri, 6/19 - Andre Ward @ Scullers (Allston), $25 [word]
Wed, 6/24 - Femi Kuti @ Paradise (BU West), $25
Fri, 6/26 - Terence Blanchard @ Scullers (Allston) [word]

begin with please

On the sixth day of my demise...
please...
do not mourn me

Please do not adorn my casket
with baskets of fruit brone from the
bowels of our past relations

Please do not offer warm, damp towels
to soothe the physical realities of bereavement
readily apparent in the emotional responses
of the ones I loved

Please do not toast my life as anything other than
what it is
what it was meant to be
what it was

please do not cry or shed a tear because i am not here
have faith in your fear and trust the wisdom of your ears

when you hear of a sparrow that sang its song until
it could chirp no more
until it could fly freely no more
until its wing were sore and the jetlag it bore
became to much of a burden for your visual girth

give peace to the meek who inherited their net worth
from the debt of your gratitude
bestowed in
small denominations
in rigidly defined pews
filled with wine bottles in the side pockets of mulattos
who came in several hues
yet still paid their dues

so please do not tell my son that i passed away
but instead reassure him i am still beside him
let him know that my joy is simply a reflection of his smile
let him know that my weariness pales in comparison
to the excitement of seeing a new sparkle in his eye
a new confidence in his gait
it is he who holds the real weight

no corner boy lookout role though
for he is blessed with favor incomparable
to those with no fear but man themselves
no man will indeed fear a fool
we drop jewels only to chain them back to our necks
and expect stimulus checks to fund our extravagance

please do not prejudge, i beg of you
guide this treacherous journey of self-discovery
lend a calming presence to the emotional overtones
that color our hindsight
spiritual discipline to the conflicted realities
that blur our vulnerabilities
the error of our ways written in blue ink
when no pencils were in sight

reversing wrongs won't necessarily make it all right
yet one day it'll all make sense
so until that time comes
continue to keep a steady pace
so as not to lose your breath prematurely
because when those last seconds do arrive
you surely will want to mind your manners
close your eyes
and look beyond your reflection of self

do away with black history month?

Both the Boston Globe and Bay State Banner have posed the question (although it was the same damn article - but the Banner has the extended version); as have many other publications in the last few weeks. Your president is black, so February no longer needs to be too.

It's an interesting poll. I've always been aware of black history and historical figures since an early child. But I cannot count how many times I hear folks relay how they didn't hear about some stuff until they were in middle school or later. It always baffled me actually. Hell, I just stumbled across an old 5th grade portrait of me in a flattop and an african medallion hanging from my neck. word.

But to simply do away with black history month? i don't think we're quite ready for that yet. Honestly, I don't think America is as evolved enough to truly handle it; the common history theme. It is too compartamentalized. There are whole sections of the world that get merely skimmed over in favor of the "classics." Classics according to who? How about AP Asian History and AP African History? Because right now all you got is US and European History. They say if you don't know your history, you are doomed to repeat it. Well, at least it won't be boring because we've got a lot to learn.

[don't] shoot the messenger

peace, god. so went the salutation from one five percenter to another. or 1 out of every 4 hip-hop album in '94. conversely, it's the first phrase that came to mind when i stumbled upon an article about the local black clergy finally unifying for reconciliation.

Truce and reconciliation: Setting example, black ministers seek to end 'clergy wars'
By Maria Cramer

It is time, they say, to practice what they preach....After years of disputes and infighting, black clergy from across Boston gathered late Thursday night in Codman Square to start what one minister called their own "cease-fire."

I have often puzzled the peculiar way in which the clergy has been seemingly recognized de facto as the leaders of the black community. Nevertheless, this comes at an opportune time. Far too often, we strive for excellence in others and neglect to push ourselves towards the same goal. Styles P had this one joint at the end of his Time Is Money album called, Leave a Message. In it, he starts off relaying how was trying "to tell these shorties something," but they rebutted that he was just as bad as them. It's a simple point. A lot of cats are smart on the low. Whether they are not man enough yet to be proud to embrace their intelligence or simply want to go down a certain path, street sense does take a bit of common sense. Could these urban youth been tuning out the calls to put their guns down because they saw in plain sight that the old heads were beefing in the same vein? Maybe. That'd be too much of a media-centric perspective. Too simplistic. But it does compel one to ask more questions. Because when you start to ask questions, you go beyond the surface.

About a week ago, I hit up the MFA's African Film Festival to check out the movie, Shoot the Messenger, by Ngozi Onwurah. It was a interesting tale that dissected a variety of topics; black self-image, identity, and mental health. To be honest, I wasn't even feeling the movie in the beginning, but by the end of it, I was fully enthralled and enjoying its meandering plot. Although it has no direct or immediate relation to the clergy article or youth violence, it still raises plenty of questions that are definitely connected; about paranoia, contempt, and forgiveness. peace, god.

no money, mo problems

Midway through tax season, I thought these fiscal tips would prove helpful not only to those parents who worry about setting a good example for their children, but even for those without kids who are proactively planning ahead. I can clearly recall the exact location of the bank where I opened a savings account when I was probably around 7 or 8. Although the follow-through wasn't what it could have been, I can strongly look back and appreciate the early guidance. And although my moms isn't the picture of fiscal responsibility by any means, every little bit counts. It's time for the midget and I to upgrade from our water bubbler bank.

Tips to help parents teach money management skills

I got a trick but my name ain't Ali-Babba

"Well, I came here for something funky to happen
Is this Christmas cuz everybody's rapping?
You better get sparked by the song that I sing
Although my name ain't Martin Luther
But I'm considered the king"
-Kwame, " The Rhythm"

I think Kwame was underrated on the skills tip. The Rhythm is one of my favorite joints. I can recite the lyrics right now, yo. Biggie did him wrong on Unbelievable, but son has since bounced back from a flop to being the man on top. He's been doing his thing behind the boards as a music producer for several years now. I always thought his flow was pretty crisp and fluid. Plus, you cannot front on his use of a band to back him up in that video. Way before the Roots and Revive Da Live. Much respect.

Lost and found

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see."

I read a financial article that spoke about tightening up your fiscal game in these uncertain times and some of its talking points really resonated with me for more than obvious reasons. In the piece, the writer likened the range of emotions people feel when unprepared to their gut instincts when their money is being messed with. The pain of loss is something we grieve over more as opposed to celebrating the joy of gains. In simple terms, we are more sad we lose money than we are happy when we earn money. In my world, it struck me because I had a t-shirt created to vibe with a theme that had been running through my head. Legendary status. Or living legend. Or whatever you want to call it. Essentially, I am a fan of celebrating someone's life while they are still here to enjoy and partake in that celebration. This is especially hitting close to home right now because it has been a mere 2 days since I received word that my dear friend, Denise Luma, passed away. Denise was a very warm and genuine person. A fellow NEU alumnus, she did her thing in school and won accolades as a star student. Outside of class, she became part of an extended family of NSBE heads that all rolled together hard. But she eventually lost her battle with lupus. When I last visited her in the hospital, she was super pissed because she was mad hungry, yet we still cracked several jokes and spoke about President-elect Obama because dropping that "elect" prefix was still premature with the Inauguration a day away. Denise was full of energy and sass and as I chilled Monday night with 2 other friends reminiscing, I struck me that I have been quite blessed and lucky to not have had a death made such a immediate impact on my psyche until now. As my peers and I grow old, some relationships will fall off while others will continue to thrive. And yet I will continue to life each day as though it were my last. I've always harbored a disdain for death and those moments leading up to it. As the years go on, more pain will surely come my way; natural causes or otherwise. But I will say that I life is to be lived. Instead of mourning her passing, I will celebrate the many fun, hilarious, adventurous time we shared personally and with others. The thrill of waking up to a new day is not to be taken for granted. May you rest in peace, Miss Luma.

change the game

I happened to come across the web site for the 2025 Campaign for Black Men and Boys and immediately was drawn in to its purpose and content.

What could we do as a society to improve the life of a Black boy born in 2007 so that by the time he was eighteen his odds for success were significantly greater?

I'll admit that I was mostly captured because of their use of the phrase, "real change takes action." But that whole concept if measurable change takes me back to the days of learning about OGSMs and strategic planning. Many a meeting, group, organization, or entity has sat stagnant and frozen in time from talking more than doing. It is a pervasive and all-too-common ailment that afflicts many people. So naturally, I am highly intrigued by the clear direction and action steps that it offers. Nonetheless, the data is in-your-face and disheartening, but not futile. Given Half a Chance is the the Schott Foundation's 50 state report on public education and Black males. I did find some of the results surprising: New Jersey is the benchmark for graduation rates of Black male students for states enrolling more than 10,000 Black male students (74%), Maryland is the benchmark for the percentage of Black male students in Gifted/Talented programs (5.7%), and Massachusetts is the benchmark for Black male students scoring at or above Basic for Grade 8 Reading in 2007 (62%).

one down, plenty to go

It appears the homie, Bob Terrell, won't be running for an at-large city council seat after all. I had his Feb 27th campaign kick-off already in my calendar. Via email, he let folks know that he was bowing out gracefully.

Just a brief note to inform folks that, unfortunately, I'v had a major change in plans. I will not be running for public office this year. Having made a decision to run in late November 2008 this left us with a short amount of time to prepare for a major undertaking in 2009. It appears that we will not be able to put everything in place that we need in time to run an effective campaign.

I would like to thank those of you who expressed an interest in my candidacy but please be assured that I will be running for office in the not to distant future. I will keep my "account" with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance open so that I can activate a Committe-to-Elect any time I choose.

In the meatime i will not be idle. I will continue to be active on issues facing the City of Boston and buildings towards a run in the future. This will give me the time I need to develop the organization and gather the resources needed to win. Thanks again for your interest and support. I'll be in touch soon.

I got to know Bob 2 years ago when we worked on Mr Henriquez's campaign. I'm glad to see that he's still planning to launch a run for office in the near future. He's one of the city's leading voices in terms of public transit and is very involved with both ACE and the Roxbury Neighborhood Council. But....Sam Yoon finally decided to throw his hat in the race for mayor.

balling on a budget

So...the school district had its presentation of the preliminary fiscal year 2010 budget tonight and it's not too pretty. It is no secret that the economy is down everwhere and nowhere is that more evident than in municipalities across the country. Locally, the governor announced that there will be substantial cuts to local aid from the state, and despite any hopeful economic stimulus packages (read: bailout money for schools) it's gonna get uglier before it gets prettier.

For me, I've been a bit anxious myself as all the news has been circling in terms of layoffs, recession, and such. I know several folks close to me have had to bear the bad news of getting the proverbial boot. Personally, I love my job and the variety and challenge it offers. I'd prefer if my small department was left alone to continue doing the work we do to expose students to STEM careers and opportunities. But I ain't no dummy. Everything's on the table, son. pretty.

The preliminary budget recommendation lists a reductions in staff of an estimated 917 full-time equivalents. Damn ain't even the word. Principals are stressing. Teachers are stressing. Employees and administrative staff are stressing. And students and parents are stressing as well. As both an employee and a parent, I wear two hats in all of this. We had a Parent Council meeting this morning and the budget obviously dominated the conversation. Hopefully, being such a small school will work in our favor to limit the impact on my son and his fellow schoolmates, yet risk aversion is one scary, hairy b!tch. Even with the school closings already in progress for next year, there's no telling what the future may hold. Hell, we had to do our own petitioning just to get some information about when they were going to re-open the neighboring pool. Simply doing things in silo won't work alone. Expanding the number of zones from 3 to 5 and reducing transportation costs are just the tip of the iceberg.

Anyways, I just felt the need to quasi-vent and quasi-pontificate about this economy stuff. Trickle-down economics ain't no joke, yo. I'll have the resume ready for rapid fire if I need to dust it off and holla at some folks, ya dig? Regardless, we gonna keep pushing our agenda to stimulate and capture the attention and minds of youth interested in careers in technology. They are our future change leaders who will inherit our mistakes if we don't step up our game to do right by them. Speaking of which, I ran into Sister Tina today and she did he usual wowing of the crowd with a very inspirational and motivation speech about her son and the Peace Institute. I didn't know she'd be there, but it was goood to see her as always. We spoke briefly, but essentially the young professionals have to be more proactive in addressing the issues and concerns of our community. Whether it is related to the schools, politics, business development, or public safety; we cannot afford to keep resting on our laurels. I've seen a lot of great energy lately (from friends, co-workers, and stranges alike) and I've been burning the oil on several personal projects of mine (entrepreneurship, politics, board service, education, & photography), so here's to a 2009 full of substance and impact. Word.