HipHopMOtiVatES

The following is a response to a blog entitled “Why should I apologize for Slavery?” Before you read on I wanted to add that I don’t believe in victimizing the black experience. Meaning that we are the only ones to blame for our lack of progress in this modern day. While I understand the history of the effects of slavery, we will continue to liberate ourselves and won’t blame anybody for our reality. Enjoy!

While I agree with the main points. I have to say suffering is a relative experience. You can’t determine if or how people have suffered from slavery. The effects of slavery are more than just forced labor.

You strip away people from their land, strip away their way of life, language, and make them to learn a new language, and a new faith. You break up their family structure, removing children from parents, and not allowing slaves to marry. The list of atrocities goes on that effect the fabric of the African American mindset or psyche. This mindset is passed down through generations.

How long would it take for you not to suffer from the death of your mother, father, sister, brother, or a close friend? Imagine you had no support in dealing with the pain of that lost or worst is was clear that no one cared about your pain. Imagine your view of the world. In order to survive you would adapt to a world that did not care about you. Often your view becomes the basis for how the next generation views the world, passing on the psychological effects.

This is how African Americans still suffer from slavery and most don’t realize it. They don’t know how the institution of slavery has impacted their thinking.

Once last point, the government is apologizing for slavery not you. You are not your government. True government seeks to represent the voice of the people. No one is asking to apologize personally.
But the reason you should apologize for slavery, its the nice thing to do. You know when a friend has a something bad happen to them. It wasn’t your fault but you say sorry anyway. Unless you don’t have any black friends (just a joke, I promise)?

One,

DLUX: THE LIGHT
The Spoken Word Hip Hop Poet
www.dluxthelight.com
Check my new blog about the good in hip hop!
hiphopmotivates.today.com

Just thought this is a something you should know about. While it is not directly linked to hip hop, colorofchange.org are doing some big things and bringing attention to an array of injustices that tend to go unnoticed. You can definitely say this is a product of the Public Enemy side of the hip hop generation. Just look at their collaboration with Nas for the “Fight against fox News” campaign.

My one point is this. They should state what they are for not what they are against. The “Fight against Fox News” should be the “Fight for Balanced News.” Their recent campaign I can get behind “Justice for Lavena Johnson.” I support the Fox News campaign but you get more of what you focus on. If you fight against Fox News you more Fox News. If you fight for justice you get more justice. It is more empowering to fight what you want than to fight against something you do not desire.

With that being said I advice you to visit colorofchange.org and find a campaign that you can support. The two featured on their website are good places to start.

One,

Desmond

DLUX: THE LIGHT

The Spoken Word Hip Hop Poet

www.dluxthelight.com

hiphopmotivates.today.com

Funny how the hottest track on Nas’ latest release is “N.I.*.*.E.R.” which would have been the title track. He faced much controversy about the title, so the title was removed. I remember first hearing about the album title and I thought “This should be interesting, I’m buying it.” I haven’t heard a track, but based of the title I decided I was going to give a listen. Some criticized Nas for the title, saying it was only for the attention. They called it a promotional stunt to bring outrage similar to the outrage when NWA first came out. Those who know Nas know better.

It is good to see that Nas had the number one for last week cd sales, dethroning Lil’ Wayne for the time being. With his recent protest against Fox News, Nas continues on the road of an activist. You might consider “Untitled” the soundtrack. This seems like the new era of the music industry. You promote the experiences of your life, your day to day struggle, and then create music the plays along with it. With the internet, your experiences have to able to be validated or your are considered a fraud.

It is not possible for Nas to make music 24/7 and collaborate with everyone to keep him in the light. He can take actions that back up his words, and publicize his efforts. Its good promotion and a good cause. In other words a win-win. His protest with colorofchange.org, will keep his name in ringing in the minds of the people, raise attention to this media issue, and help him sell more cds.

To close this review here are my favorite tracks;
Sly Fox, favorite line “Comcast digital Satan…” for personal reasons.
Testify
N.I.*.*.E.R.
Fried Chicken A theme for vegans everywhere
Y’all My Ni**as
We’re Not Alone
Black President Love the Tupac sample and the intelligent view about Barack run for the presidency

So basically track 6 on down. The album is solid. You’ll need to and want to listen to it more than once to get all science dropped.

One,

DLUX: THE LIGHT

The Spoken Word Hip Hop Poet

www.dluxthelight.com

Hiphopmotivates.today.com
Watch “Sly Fox” Performed by Nas

GV7:Random Urban Static The Iridescent Equations of Spoken Word is an original feature length spoken word documentary by the Multi Award-Winning filmmaker Bob Bryan. It is the 7^th release in the Graffiti Verite film series and follows a plethora of poets based in L.A. This film features national slam champions, Bridget Gray, Sekou (tha misfit), and Mollie Angelheart. Urban Static reflects the vastness of poetry and life.

It took a second viewing to understand the flow of this documentary. This may detour some who aren’t willing to give another two hours for viewing. This is not for those only satisfied by the ideas they can quickly understand. GV7 is not a product of the “MTV microwave age,” to quote Vejea Jennings. This film is visual poetry. There are moments that make you feel, what could have been shown and vice versa. It strength and its weakness is the fact that it is not straight forward. I enjoyed my second viewing more than the first. Just like poetry, Urban Static forces you to take another watch/listen to fully grasp the message. I appreciate the film because of the way it embodies the art form it is documenting.

The poetry displayed is phenomenal, truly representing an iridescent view of poetry in L.A. Hearing and viewing the processes of the poets will inspire spoken word artist who are birthing in this craft. The vets of the poetry world will be reminded of the reasons why they began to put pen to pad and recite.

It would of been nice to see more regions represented. Maybe a trip down to AZ, over to Nevada, Colorado, and Oregon (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) would provide a bigger picture poetry from the West Coast. Regardless, Urban Static is, and will stand as, an irreplaceable piece of Spoken Word History. I recommend this for anyone who wants to really understand spoken word poetry, if you are willing to watch it at least twice.

Des a.k.a. DLUX:THE LIGHT
S.W.H.H. Poet (Spoken Word Hip Hop)
www.dluxthelight.com

DLUX: THE LIGHT! Man, poet, producer, musician, husband, father, and friend from the beautiful city of Portland, OR.