It has been said that music soothes the soul. If this is true, then it is safe to say that it also speaks to the heart and influences the mind. This is why I cannot understand how or why so many of us listen to the songs and artists that we do.
I literally refuse to listen to the radio anymore. I have tried so many times and I find myself assaulted with musical porn. What ever happened to songs that celebrated love and showed respect and care for women? There are songs that my grandmother used to jam to when I was younger that I hear nowadays and discover that the song was very sexual in nature. I can't do anything but laugh at the memory of an 8 year old me singing every lyric while snapping my fingers. There was this lovely thing called innuendo but clearly that has fallen by the wayside.
As a 34 year old wife and mother of 4 children I blush and cringe at the lyrics even though they are so called radio edited. They are not fooling anyone with their attempts at mixing or delaying bleeps. None of these male artists that are promoted heavily are rapping or singing about loving one woman or person. Relationship? Monogamy? Yeah right. When did being a wholesome person become lame and unacceptable? The real question is when did women become huge supporters of being disrespected and degraded. It blows my mind when I see girls singing these songs and posting these lyrics; happy and proud to be called a bitch and looked at as nothing more than an easy lay. So accepting of this mindset that they allow their children to listen to and recite the same garbage.
I am so confused and disheartened at the level of ignorance in our community. No one seems to care about what they are pouring into themselves when they allow that foolish to flow out of their speakers, filled with bass, flowing into their cars and homes devouring their brain cells and hardening their hearts. How do you see yourself really? You and your daughters aspire to be the video vixens and groupies talked about in the music. Wow, that really says a lot and none of it is good. Now I am not saying that you cannot listen to rap or R&B but are you aware that you have choices out here that are not based in ratchetness. Oh, but I must remember you all like ratchet music and attitudes.
There is a major debate about whether or not musicians should be held accountable for their musical content and whether or not it can influence the actions of consumers/listeners. Well if listening to a preacher, cult leader or abusive parent or husband can influence through words SO CAN MUSIC. I know some say that this shouldn't be the case but television and radio are raising these kids more than most parents. Whether it is because they are horrible parents or they work 3 jobs to pay the bills and aren't around. Monkey see, Monkey hear, Monkey do. The best example I can think of involves setting the mood. How many of us have made baby making mixed cd's? Well, the same goes for any type of music that you listen to. If you are listening to music that rages against something or a type of people you can easily be influenced to feel the same way. All of a sudden you go from loving and appreciating women to seeing them as a notch to add on your belt. An innocent kid turns into a raging ball of hormones wanting to immolate what he sees on the videos and hears in the lyrics he has memorized. Now we have a bunch of babies having babies and contracting STDs. Little girls who used to aspire to be scientists and doctors realize how much hard work that dream will involve and how much debt they will be in after graduation and all of a sudden being a video vixen or groupie turned baby mama is much more enticing.
It's hard to change theses thoughts when the parents are just as ghetto and ignorant. When the mother is just another THOT and the father is a wannabe thug who is there to teach the kids not to follow this path? The adults glorify the lifestyles portrayed by these no talent hacks. In many cases these songs are played in grocery stores, gas stations and even on the radio at 8 a.m. What is going on here? Since when is it okay to play songs that curse and talk about nothing but sex with any and everybody in the middle of the day? Then of course you have the fake ass thugs and drug dealers who have actually never even won a fight much less sold anything more dangerous than a pack of chewing gum.
We as a people wonder why we are so messed up. We wonder why each new generation is so confused, disrespectful and violent. There are several reasons and places where the blame can be placed and music is one of them. As consumers we actually have the power to change all of this. Protest and boycott the stations that play this type of music, stop buying it and block it from all of the electronics in your home. It really isn't hard to do. You just have to give enough of a care to do so.
We should be disgraced by what we have become and what we deem to be
acceptable. Just think about the music we grew up on and then compare
the two.Think about it this way. What will our grand kids be listening to? When future generations learn about this time period what will they read about? What will they think of us? Hell, if we keep on this path will they even know how to read much less have an archive of all things historical. If you ask most 20 somethings or younger they don't even know who Stevie Wonder or Luther Vandorss are. Sadly, they don't know who Missy Elliot and Erykah Badu are.
It almost feels like the days of feel good music are gone. You know, the music that makes you happy for a good reasons. Where's the music that nurtures, teaches and reaches out to the world to build connections? There will never be another 'Heal the World'. The sad part is that there aren't enough people who actually care. In so many ways this world is going to hell in a hand basket and unfortunately music will not be able to help mend, educate, improve relations or deliver understanding in times where normal methods of communication have been exhausted. We really need to see a change.
Save the Music
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
I am Black and I hate Black people...so what?
How many of you have said this: I am Black and I hate Black people...so what? Or even better, I love Black people but I hate niggas. Little do you realize that we are all the same. We are One.
I can't turn on the news or scroll through my Facebook timeline without seeing a report of a white cop shooting and killing an unarmed black male. It is hurtful and disheartening. I read the comments and interviews showing all the outrage in the black community. I wonder if there would be such an outcry if it were a black cop doing the killing? I am almost certain that many wouldn't give a damn if it were a black cop killing an unarmed white kid because somehow that would be justified, huh? I would love to know where the rage is when we constantly see black on black murders? No matter who pulls the trigger, a life is still cut short. In essence, those who are only focused on who a white cop kills are strongly suggesting that it is not the life that matters, at all, but the person who took it. How does this make sense?
We, as black people, walk around with such a chip on our shoulders talking about reparations. Negro please, what have you had to endure that leaves someone owing you a debt? You don't even know your own history and you definitely aren't teaching it to the newer generations so exactly why should you benefit off of the trials and tribulations of your ancestors? Knowledge is power yet you aren't seeking any. Education is key and yet you don't read, attend college or help your kids with their homework. Yet, someone owes you something? Incorrect. You, in fact, are the one who owes. You owe it to your children, the children in your family and even in your neighborhoods to be the best parent, relative and mentor that you can be.
Where is the strength in the black community? Those of us who own businesses tend to make sure that they are as far away from black neighborhoods as possible. I can't say that I blame them either; Look what happened in Ferguson. There has to be a value of ones self instilled in each of us in order for us to value anyone or anything else. Do you keep your house and car clean? (especially if it's a rental) Do you litter or see litter right near a trash can and simply leave it there? Do you teach your children cleanliness? Manners? Respect? Let's take this even further: Who is your mechanic? If you had your choice of a doctor what race would they be? If you could chose any school district for your child to attend which one would it be? If you could buy a house in any neighborhood, where would it be?
Many of us don't bother to take care of another persons property. We won't let a black mechanic touch our cars and we are more comfortable with Indian or White doctors. Our favorite school districts and neighborhoods are in areas that are the predominantly white. In so many instances we constantly show our hatred of self. The extremely sad part is that we differentiate ourselves from anyone else who is black. We don't see a common bond or a necessity for unity. We don't see the importance of building our community, spending and keeping money in it and supporting it with everything we have. We, in all actuality, don't see a "we" but instead an "I" and "them". We will actually convince ourselves that separating from our own brothers and sisters will somehow set us apart and make us better. Little do you know that you will always be black to everyone who sees you. Why are we this way? Because we were conditioned to be.
There was a time when we were limited in resources and information but thankfully the internet has opened up the world. We now have a wealth of information at our fingertips. Unfortunately, no one is really studying or researching their history. With the great advancements in technology we have actually become more ignorant and in many cases outright dumb. Everyone is chasing the mighty dollar and 15 minutes of fame. Our little girls aspire to be Kim Kardashian or Joseline Hernandez and our sons are so lost that they actually believe their only choices are to be rappers or drug dealers. Many of them are just waiting to die or be imprisoned. We can't really be surprised because most grandparents nowadays are in their late twenties and early thirties. No one is teaching anyone anything because no one has taken the time to learn themselves.
Our history is so rich and we have created, formed, nurtured, invented and accomplished so many things. We were once Kings and Queens, a mighty people. I truly believe that we have shamed our ancestors beyond reprieve. The history has been changed so much that many of us aren't even aware of just what we have done. Instead of arming ourselves with that knowledge and swelling with pride and admiration for those who have come before us and blessed this Earth with their greatness, we choose to forget and allow people to lie and diminish our worth and impact. The truly ridiculous part is that so many other races know and recognize our greatness and accomplishments. They have studied, stolen and capitalized off of our insight, brilliance, genius and creativity.
Let's just look at the music industry for a second. If we are talking about quality R&B music in recent years the top selling and best albums have come from Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Adele, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith. When you watch or read interviews these people admit that their musical influences are: Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross. Most of the youth in the black community don't even know who most of these people are. Our music is selling by the millions and we are not benefiting. Instead we are creating and listening to music that promotes foolishness and ignorance. The sexually explicit and degrading nature of our music is supported and exploited. My goodness do we really and truly not value or cherish ourselves, our men or women at all? I believe Jay Z said it best when he said that he would love to rap like common sense but he is about his paper so that wouldn't make common sense. Absolute proof from the richest and most successful rapper alive that it's all about the money, not the message. We aren't even going to address the extreme decline in the quality of Beyonce's music. She, however, is also about her paper and she sees that ignorance and raunchy trash sells so ...
Getting back to the news reports about cops killing unarmed black men, I would like to ask a serious question. Why does a white cop killing an unarmed black male really bother you? Be honest because it cannot be about the loss of a life. It is all about the race of the person who took it. If it were about the lost life then I would see the same amount of outrage directed towards all of the black people who kill black people. When white people kill white people, white people sound off all the time. We see constant news reports, the tip line rings off the hook and we witness manhunts and follow the trials. When Black people kill each other we say a few R.I.P's and keep it pushing. No one is out here working with the police to find the killers. We live by the no snitching rule which leaves the murderers on the street to mess around and kill someone you love, be it by accident or on purpose. The ignorance is real and it is so harmful to us as a people.
So, with all this being said, why should any other race give a damn about black lives if we don't? Where is the loyalty and unity in our community? If you look at the comments on these news posts, white people are sticking by the white cops committing these murders. Come hell or high water, to the public, they are going to going to stand in solidarity even when they know these cops are wrong. They do this because they are loyal to each other. They do not want to see another race get one over on their own even if its warranted. We don't do this. We are quick to say that the person must have done something wrong and deserved to get shot. We act as if being black or at the wrong place at the wrong time is a valid reason to be murdered. There is no care or concern to actually find out the truth and help the families of the murdered. There are too many uncle Rukus types out here. Those of us with money who made it out of the hood do not care about what's happening and aren't trying to let anyone know that that's where they came from.
We have turned our backs, closed our eyes, hardened our hearts, plugged our ears and shut down our minds to what is happening in our communities. We have stopped caring and rejected the notion of owing it to our ancestors who gave their lives for our freedom to continue the fight for equality and the building up of our people. We fail to realize that when we show such hatred and disregard for our neighbors, communities and youth we are in essence hating ourselves, kids and family. You may think that because you left the hood you are safe. At this rate, martial law will be enacted and your black ass will be forced back into the hood. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you can find solace anywhere that is going to be more pure and genuine than what you would find in your own community from your own people. All you have to do is reach out to these communities, share your knowledge and connections. Build a place strong and unified that will stand the test of time. We are the community that promotes ignorance and celebrates it as if it's a state we should all aspire to exist in. It's time to stop waiting on someone else to fix this. Even more importantly, we have to stop pretending that this does not affect us all. If you love yourself then you should love me. We are one.
I can't turn on the news or scroll through my Facebook timeline without seeing a report of a white cop shooting and killing an unarmed black male. It is hurtful and disheartening. I read the comments and interviews showing all the outrage in the black community. I wonder if there would be such an outcry if it were a black cop doing the killing? I am almost certain that many wouldn't give a damn if it were a black cop killing an unarmed white kid because somehow that would be justified, huh? I would love to know where the rage is when we constantly see black on black murders? No matter who pulls the trigger, a life is still cut short. In essence, those who are only focused on who a white cop kills are strongly suggesting that it is not the life that matters, at all, but the person who took it. How does this make sense?
We, as black people, walk around with such a chip on our shoulders talking about reparations. Negro please, what have you had to endure that leaves someone owing you a debt? You don't even know your own history and you definitely aren't teaching it to the newer generations so exactly why should you benefit off of the trials and tribulations of your ancestors? Knowledge is power yet you aren't seeking any. Education is key and yet you don't read, attend college or help your kids with their homework. Yet, someone owes you something? Incorrect. You, in fact, are the one who owes. You owe it to your children, the children in your family and even in your neighborhoods to be the best parent, relative and mentor that you can be.
Where is the strength in the black community? Those of us who own businesses tend to make sure that they are as far away from black neighborhoods as possible. I can't say that I blame them either; Look what happened in Ferguson. There has to be a value of ones self instilled in each of us in order for us to value anyone or anything else. Do you keep your house and car clean? (especially if it's a rental) Do you litter or see litter right near a trash can and simply leave it there? Do you teach your children cleanliness? Manners? Respect? Let's take this even further: Who is your mechanic? If you had your choice of a doctor what race would they be? If you could chose any school district for your child to attend which one would it be? If you could buy a house in any neighborhood, where would it be?
Many of us don't bother to take care of another persons property. We won't let a black mechanic touch our cars and we are more comfortable with Indian or White doctors. Our favorite school districts and neighborhoods are in areas that are the predominantly white. In so many instances we constantly show our hatred of self. The extremely sad part is that we differentiate ourselves from anyone else who is black. We don't see a common bond or a necessity for unity. We don't see the importance of building our community, spending and keeping money in it and supporting it with everything we have. We, in all actuality, don't see a "we" but instead an "I" and "them". We will actually convince ourselves that separating from our own brothers and sisters will somehow set us apart and make us better. Little do you know that you will always be black to everyone who sees you. Why are we this way? Because we were conditioned to be.
There was a time when we were limited in resources and information but thankfully the internet has opened up the world. We now have a wealth of information at our fingertips. Unfortunately, no one is really studying or researching their history. With the great advancements in technology we have actually become more ignorant and in many cases outright dumb. Everyone is chasing the mighty dollar and 15 minutes of fame. Our little girls aspire to be Kim Kardashian or Joseline Hernandez and our sons are so lost that they actually believe their only choices are to be rappers or drug dealers. Many of them are just waiting to die or be imprisoned. We can't really be surprised because most grandparents nowadays are in their late twenties and early thirties. No one is teaching anyone anything because no one has taken the time to learn themselves.
Our history is so rich and we have created, formed, nurtured, invented and accomplished so many things. We were once Kings and Queens, a mighty people. I truly believe that we have shamed our ancestors beyond reprieve. The history has been changed so much that many of us aren't even aware of just what we have done. Instead of arming ourselves with that knowledge and swelling with pride and admiration for those who have come before us and blessed this Earth with their greatness, we choose to forget and allow people to lie and diminish our worth and impact. The truly ridiculous part is that so many other races know and recognize our greatness and accomplishments. They have studied, stolen and capitalized off of our insight, brilliance, genius and creativity.
Let's just look at the music industry for a second. If we are talking about quality R&B music in recent years the top selling and best albums have come from Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Adele, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith. When you watch or read interviews these people admit that their musical influences are: Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross. Most of the youth in the black community don't even know who most of these people are. Our music is selling by the millions and we are not benefiting. Instead we are creating and listening to music that promotes foolishness and ignorance. The sexually explicit and degrading nature of our music is supported and exploited. My goodness do we really and truly not value or cherish ourselves, our men or women at all? I believe Jay Z said it best when he said that he would love to rap like common sense but he is about his paper so that wouldn't make common sense. Absolute proof from the richest and most successful rapper alive that it's all about the money, not the message. We aren't even going to address the extreme decline in the quality of Beyonce's music. She, however, is also about her paper and she sees that ignorance and raunchy trash sells so ...
Getting back to the news reports about cops killing unarmed black men, I would like to ask a serious question. Why does a white cop killing an unarmed black male really bother you? Be honest because it cannot be about the loss of a life. It is all about the race of the person who took it. If it were about the lost life then I would see the same amount of outrage directed towards all of the black people who kill black people. When white people kill white people, white people sound off all the time. We see constant news reports, the tip line rings off the hook and we witness manhunts and follow the trials. When Black people kill each other we say a few R.I.P's and keep it pushing. No one is out here working with the police to find the killers. We live by the no snitching rule which leaves the murderers on the street to mess around and kill someone you love, be it by accident or on purpose. The ignorance is real and it is so harmful to us as a people.
So, with all this being said, why should any other race give a damn about black lives if we don't? Where is the loyalty and unity in our community? If you look at the comments on these news posts, white people are sticking by the white cops committing these murders. Come hell or high water, to the public, they are going to going to stand in solidarity even when they know these cops are wrong. They do this because they are loyal to each other. They do not want to see another race get one over on their own even if its warranted. We don't do this. We are quick to say that the person must have done something wrong and deserved to get shot. We act as if being black or at the wrong place at the wrong time is a valid reason to be murdered. There is no care or concern to actually find out the truth and help the families of the murdered. There are too many uncle Rukus types out here. Those of us with money who made it out of the hood do not care about what's happening and aren't trying to let anyone know that that's where they came from.
We have turned our backs, closed our eyes, hardened our hearts, plugged our ears and shut down our minds to what is happening in our communities. We have stopped caring and rejected the notion of owing it to our ancestors who gave their lives for our freedom to continue the fight for equality and the building up of our people. We fail to realize that when we show such hatred and disregard for our neighbors, communities and youth we are in essence hating ourselves, kids and family. You may think that because you left the hood you are safe. At this rate, martial law will be enacted and your black ass will be forced back into the hood. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you can find solace anywhere that is going to be more pure and genuine than what you would find in your own community from your own people. All you have to do is reach out to these communities, share your knowledge and connections. Build a place strong and unified that will stand the test of time. We are the community that promotes ignorance and celebrates it as if it's a state we should all aspire to exist in. It's time to stop waiting on someone else to fix this. Even more importantly, we have to stop pretending that this does not affect us all. If you love yourself then you should love me. We are one.
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