Thursday, March 19, 2009

Pride is my downfall

I miss this person a lot. I miss her more than my pride will let me
show. Would let me show b/c when she left I knew I would be ok. I knew
I would be fine w/o her. But this can't be right. This can't be love.
This state of existence feels like a curse.

How could I long for true love all my life but at the same time let it
walk away! Love in the purest, most innocent form.

I KNOW I will be ok in the long run b/c I have no choice. What is done
is done and I have to progress with my life.

Let's just say I blew a golden opportunity.

If you are reading, I'm sorry for what I did to you but I die every
time I look in the mirror from what I die to myself.

Zach Logan

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

THIS IS ME

I'm me. I'm unique but that doesn't make me better than you. Flip sides, it doesn't make you better than me because you're just like everyone else (haaa). You can talk about me, throw dirt on my name, etc. They threw stones at Jesus Christ so that must make me god-like, right? Wrong. I'm just a nigga from the hood trying to see better days. I know from where I came so I know where I'm going. I embrace the persecution and keep it movin'. I'm a king. We all come from royalty but you have be able to look yourself in the mirror and decide what crown you choose to wear. Chuuch

THE HOOOD MENTALITY [BLOG]


In our current times, it seems to be the cool thing to do be hood or appear to others to be such. This seems to be easily attainable through music, movies, and various other venues of entertainment without having any such street credibility.

They always said art imitated life but there is new breed of people that imitate the art that they consume without having prior knowledge on the conditions that are being spoken.

Now, the issue lies in the misconception and illusion that the hood life is desired. The truth of the matter i that REAL people that are in REAL hoods are looking for a REAL legitimate way to escape the reality of the hood.

You have two types of people that are glorifying this lifestyle.

You have the suburban kid who has bought every so called called gangster rap cd, gangster movie, etc and imitates the scenes in his own life. Most of the times, it pulls them in UNDESIRABLE & UNFAMILIAR positions in their life. However, they usually have the tools (parents, connections, etc.) to get themselves out of trouble. This kid thinks that cloths, hoes, money, and cars is what it is all about but when the drama comes with it, they usually are not mentally or physically capable of dealing with it.

Then, you have the kid that may be from the hood but is really a good person at heart. He gets caught up in his surrounding and can't OVERSTAND that he should try to escape the condition. He soons finds himself in situations UNDESIRABLE but FAMILIAR to his lifestyle. This is when he has become a STATISTIC! It's never too late to change your life but you can take preventable measures in order to not put yourself in a situation that is not beneficial for you or your family.

You may ask why these two types of people want to glorify the lifestyle. It's simple. I saw my mother brush her teeth every morning so that clicked in my head that it may be something I want to do (lol).

It is our human nature to gravitate towards or separate from things that we experience on a daily basis. If two people hang around each other quite a bit in a month. They are going to either like each other or dislike each other.

If you watch American Gangsta Season 1 - 3 and you're a kid who desires money, power and respect then the lives of those individuals on the show are going to look desirable to you. However, as people, we always want to see the GOOD in things and fail to realize the 90% outcome of all those on the show. They are either dead, in jail or in witness protection (because they snitched).

Those are 3 situations that are not fun. It may look good on a rap video or in the streets but there are a lot of blood, sweat and tears lost due to the game.

If you're not build for the game then you can't play it efficiently.

There are real thugs and hoodrats out there but you have to look n the mirror and ask yourself 2 questions.

1. Was I born in this condition? then

2. Is this really what I want for myself?

If you answer no the the fist one then this life is more than likely not for you.

Shake the hood mentality! Be a good, loving, and giving person. You'll gain much more in the long run.


TRIP

Sunday, December 7, 2008

ARCHIVE: 7/30/07 - REAL TALK # 3 – The Self Enslaved

REAL TALK # 3 – The Self Enslaved

”If you... then, Kill Yo Self”
This is the segment where I talk about hot ass messes in the world.

If you’re in the 21st century, a grown ass mothafucka, smart enough to go to college and get a degree, but dumb enough to jump out of the plane without a parachute with the next fellow because they asked you to then… KILL YO SELF!

Do they call you a Bobblehead? Not because of the song but because every time somebody say something you’re always nodding. In past times, they called them “Yes Men”. You don’t even know what you’re “Yes’ing” about half the time, do you? For example, everybody wants Barack Obama to be the president but what percentage actually knows what the dude is about? I want him to be the President; not because he has the chance to be the first black president but because he has good plans for the country. So, I ask myself, do we have any people that will be different, take a stand for something, and not follow the norm? There’s a difference than riding with your boys whether they be right or wrong because you should know the deal with them before you ride. The fault is when you agree to something that you don’t have full acknowledgement of and be so quick to run to it. Obviously, you can’t stop your friends from lying to you and if that’s the case, you need to check your friends. But make sure your “friends” let you know what you’re getting yourself into before you jump in that water with them, and make sure you do the same if you want someone to follow you.

For example, I’m a guy that likes clothing and I like to stay in style, but I’ve always been the one that veered off to the left a little bit. If people went left with me, I went a little more to the left, you feel that? I was the one that was strange, weird, and crazy. I’m glad to be that person now because I know that being the “Yes Man” ain’t the way to go in today’s world. You might “Yes” yourself into some serious ass problems. In a situation like clothing, it’s not that serious because no one is going to really be hurt when the trends change. But in a situation like gang violence, many niggas get killed or kill someone because they want to conform to what the crowd is doing. I respect any nigga who wanna get into something for them but I despise the person who does something because he saw the next man do it. Before you lead any kind of life, ask yourself, “Do I know what I’m getting myself into?” If you’re going to be blind and jump into the water without knowledge that there are sharks in it then do your thang. But, don’t be trying to lead other blind people with you into those waters and fuck everybody up, you feel that?

Another example I have is when I was as at a Sheryl Underwood show, who is a Republican; she said something about Bush. Of course, it was true, everybody booed him on account of what she said and it was funny. Then it wasn’t even 5 minutes later, she said something else about Bush and his staff that was good in her eyes. At that time, everybody started cheering and clapping. This was the same crowd that just booed Bush and everything he believed in but because an influential person like Sheryl said something good about him it must be right huh? Wrong. She is a human being and she has the right to her opinion. Just because she is a famous comedian doesn’t mean she knows it all. It’s okay to take in what she says because she is a smart lady but make your own analysis of the situation. The Lord gave us all brains to make our own decisions on life. I just liked this example because I see a lot of people who do that when a celebrity or some other influential person opens their mouth. I love Sheryl and she is too damn funny, but I didn’t agree with what she said I wasn’t going to “Yes” just because of who she is. I’m sure you know other situations where people are always “Yesing”. It’s just like in the church; it’s sad to see people agreeing and “Yes Lord” to the preacher about what he saying, but they are not living the shit when they leave. You know, it all relative to the same principle: Don’t be jumping off bridges with people, and if you do I hope you… KILL YO SELF!


REAL TALK
This is the main topic of today’s blog is entitled “The Self Enslaved”

I am a black man. I love my black people but this is REAL TALK and that’s what you’re going to get so don’t be trying to call me a sellout or none of that ole hot shit because I’m for the right, always. “The Self Enslaved” is a group of people that hates another race and thinks they are the reason for their downfall. This is for ALL people of ALL races who stereotype the world and act as if their life is still at the hands of someone else

I have an example for y’all about what people don’t normally consider to be racism. One night my lady Amy and I were out enjoying ourselves. She was looking good. I was looking good like a playa do in a brand new Polo fit. As you may or may not know, my girl is white. People fail to realize, some white people ain’t going plus she ain’t with a square so yeah… Anyway, these girls of color thought it would be cute to choose on me and tried to say that I couldn’t handle them. My girl spoke up quickly saying, “I beg to differ.” They were drunk and got hot about the shit and one of them was like, “Nah, you don’t understand. You’re a white girl. What is your name? Judy? Becky?” When she saw me or my girl wasn’t fazed, she pathetically went on to say, “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just playing. I have a white friend so I’m just kidding. Y’all have a nice night…” My girl made the right move and said, “What if I had said something racist to you and been like its okay, my boyfriend’s black? Would it be okay? No, I doubt that.” And as much as it may hurt black people to hear this, she’s right. The truth doesn’t hurt. It KILLS. I know a thousand black folk who would’ve whipped a white person’s ass if the tables would’ve flipped but obviously it would be ignorant to fight over that shit, especially when both parties are intoxicated. So why do we act like this, why do we black people hate but when we are being discriminated against it’s wrong and racist. We can be racist too.

Don’t give me that “they gave us 200 years pain of strife” shit because granted it was wrong but the people who done that to our people have been dealt with by higher powers. We are in 2007 and do you know any modern slaves or slave traders? No, more than likely. I’ve said “Look at that stupid ass white dude” and would’ve been furious if a white dude said the same about me. I’ve been in the same situation where I hit a boy for calling me a nigger, and have sometimes myself referred to white people by certain names but didn’t see any fault in it. I thought it was cool, but since I’m elevating my mind and becoming the man I need to be I know that it is not only wrong, but selfish for us to think that we are the only ones that can be hated or discriminated on. God made all of us equal, but separate. We all come from different backgrounds but we are all His children. To me, as long as you’re real as can be I could give a fuck what color you are. There are flagrant ass black people out there who don’t give a fuck about helping me out just like there are white, you feel me? So, let’s as black people…as human beings, just stop getting mad about what people call us. If you don’t want someone calling you a “nigga” then don’t go off calling the white person a “honkey”.

Ok now saying that, I’m going to say this…
There is a thing called “The Man” and so many times I’ve thought of that person as a prejudice white dude who is trying to hold back blacks. That’s not the case in my mind anymore. “The Man” is the square, player hater, uptight, never think they can do anything wrong, holier than thou people in this world who feed off of making other people feel lesser. That can be an African American, Euro American, Jewish, Arabian, Pakistanian, or Asian man. Granted, racism does exist but many of us hold ourselves back. We, as black people, need to realize that there are so many different kinds of people in the United States that are/have been discriminated against, have risen from racism and persecution, and have not continued to let it effect countless generations and the mindset of their people. There is nothing wrong with taking a stand in remembrance and reflection but what is wrong is the hatred that is behind some of these movements that carries over in how you view people and what you teach your children.

My girl is a Jew but I’ve never heard her say she hates Germans based on the events of the Holocaust, you feel that? Everybody got problems but they are your problems so don’t blame your shortcomings on an entire group of people. I’m not wealthy by any means and I refuse to say that’s because of a white man. I am not wealthy because I haven’t gotten off of my ass and got wealthy. It’s because I haven’t been on the road God has wanted me to be on, stepped out on faith and used my gifts that He gave me like with my music and my writing. That is the reason why I haven’t made a mil yet. No other individual can stop the blessings that God has for YOU but YOU. Why? Because they are YOUR damn blessings. I know so many people waiting on someone to take them out of a situation, make them rich, and make them successful. This is the 21st century and people have too many chores on their hand to baby you. My grandma has two of her sons living with her both over 40. Man, she is a blessed woman and a good woman but in today’s age, ain’t nobody taking care of no grown folks. The moral of this is to take responsibility for your actions and if your actions don’t provide the results you want then don’t be mad at nobody but yourself. So if you want to be that successful, rich, influential human (regardless of race) you better get up off yo ass and GET ON YO SHIT! NOW THAT’S REAL!

Suggestions, Questions, Topics (Real Talk Request)
There was no Real Talk Request this week. ASK ME QUESTIONS MAAAANE!

Entertainment
Movies to go see: “Ratatouille”; This lil nigga is my hero. He is one bad rat and breaks ALL stereotypes of the famously ghetto pet (besides the roach!). I wanted to embrace rats after this movie. He loved his craft so much (not cheese!) that he… just go watch the movie, man.

Music to listen to: Musiq Soulchild. This guy has always been one of my favorite R&B artists. His new song, “Teach me how to love… show me the way to surrender my heart.” Yeah, that nigga be goin’ off and I got to get that CD (bootleg, of course.)!

Thank you all for reading my blog. I hope that you obtained the knowledge that you were looking for and the entertainment that you have longed for. Take it easy and may God bless you in all of your future endeavors.

ARCHIVE: 8/7/07 - REAL TALK # 5 – True Religions?

REAL TALK # 5 – True Religions?

”If you... then, Kill Yo Self”
This is the segment where I talk about hot ass messes in the world.

If you were told about the bridge in 1999 that it was unsafe, didn’t fix it, and it collapses in 2007 then… KILL YO SELF!

The bridge patrol need to be slapping themselves in the face over that 1-35 W bridge in Minnesota collapsing in the Mississippi River. The news said they were warned as early as 1999 to fix the bridge or else it wouldn’t be standing long. It fucks me up because I travel over the Memphis Bridge across the Mississippi at least twice a month. I’m willing to bet that bridge hasn’t been looked at in awhile either. I’m looking forward to seeing the upcoming news about the repairs of the other bridges that go across the Mississippi. I feel like the bridge patrol should be charged with negligence after those people died and got hurt. More than likely, as it goes in this world: nothing will happen to them. It’s sad but whoever was in charge of making sure the bridge needed the proper reconstruction needs to resign and give it up to someone who is going to take full responsibility of doing the job right.

REAL TALK
This is the main topic of today’s blog is entitled “True Religions?”

* This whole thing is to let y’all know that you should believe in God first and foremost, before any man or religion. I'm going to be referring to God in this piece alot. I'm not going to be shallow to what other people may believe in. In this blog, I mean what I believe God to be. It just what be too hard to keep saying "God or any other higher power", you dig? Some of you worship many different gods and you can also apply that to this piece if you must. Also, I’m not trying to knock those who believe in religion or hold your pastor at a high standing. I’m just giving you another way to look at it.

Whose religion is right? Pentecostal, Baptists, Catholics, Judaism, Church of Christ, Methodists, Muslims? So, if you’re not Baptist then you’re going to hell, right? I don’t know. Many people feel this way; that if you don’t believe the way they do then you can’t be right. First of all, we need to know that religions are man made. The Bible is also man made but it’s based on the account of what the prophets wrote what they saw during that time so that is more credible. I’ve heard people even say that the prophet who wrote Revelations was sick and diseased and that it’s inaccurate because of that. Is that true? I don’t know. I wouldn’t know because I wasn’t there, you dig? I just know what I was taught by my folks that this is what you read, this is what you believe. Many of us were taught the same way. Many of us don’t look at it any other way because that’s the only way we know. We are too scared to think of it any other way because we don’t want to be looked down amongst our peers and family. I was in those shoes. I went to church with my grandma at a Pentecostal church. My family and friends was Baptist. They weren’t trying to hear the things I was saying. They didn’t believe in the rules that we had. For example, the Pentecostal religion doesn’t believe women should show a lot of their skin or cut their hair. Also, they don’t believe men shouldn’t have long hair and should also have a shaved face. My friends weren’t trying to hear that. They were like, “I can’t wear my braids, what?” I thought they were crazy and thought sure enough, they won’t go to Heaven because this has to be right. I just feel it has to be right. I was young and going along with my grandma. I read a lot of the Bible then, but the people who were teaching me only taught me that way so, of course I’m going to think it’s the only way. For example, reporters tell us all day and every day that New Orleans was flooded out by heavy, nonstop rain so that’s what we believe. The people of New Orleans say the levee was blown up and the water came in on them. Who do we believe, you feel that? We believe the news because they put in our face all day everyday so it’s easier to accept. And of course, we don’t want to think that our government is that corrupt, right? Right. So as I’ve matured, I can make my own mind up for what I believe in. I believe in the Bible so therefore, I feel like everything in it is accurate. I’ve been a Pentecostal and Baptist. I know the two religions read the same teachings (The Holy Bible) but they interpret it totally different. I feel like some people follow certain religions because they don’t want to follow the rules God has laid out for them. They pick and choose what they want to believe and go to the religion that caters to their beliefs. Some people may believe that we don’t have to completely walk in the way of God, as long as we go to church, pray, etc. and some people take it as we must walk a straight and narrow path towards Him, and not sway off at all.

The Bible says we were made in the likeness of Him. Our conscience also known as “the little voice” is Him speaking to us. You know right from wrong because that little voice inside you tells you it’s wrong. My grandmother went to a Pentecostal church all of her life and is as much of a God-fearing woman as I have seen. She doesn’t go to church anymore, but still holds her faith high. Does that mean she won’t go to heaven? Some people say she won’t but I don’t believe that. The Bible does say go to church, give offerings, and pray. It’s clear on that. Some old people can’t go to church. Some people who are handicap can’t go to church, for various reasons. We all can pray. You don’t even have to open your mouth to pray. The Lord knows your thoughts. You can’t fool Him, either. It makes me sick to my stomach the people I see go to church every weekend and praise the Lord so much, and says they want to do right. But they talk and gossip about everyone all during the week, they don’t give to people, they hate on others, they steal, they lie, they cheat, etc. They say they walk in the name of the Lord, but all they are doing is using His name in vain to try to justify what they do. We all make mistakes, and He knows that we are going to make them. We have to try not to do these things. You can’t do them and think its okay just because you go to church, give offerings and pray. God can do all things, but we must also make an effort to try to be better. Preachers are human beings, and we all know that can be as devilish as a sinner, sometimes. So, who do we trust? Who do we put our faith in? Man or God? The preacher and the Bible are man made, we already know this. You must step out on faith and trust God. When you are down to your last dollar, don’t go begging anybody for any money. Put your faith in God, have patience (it’s a virtue), and let Him bless you. He wants you to have nice things and live the life you’re supposed to live, but you must trust Him to provide for you.

This is my conclusion to you all. I say read the Bible, take from it what you can understand, and pray about it. I say go to church, listen to the preacher, take from it what you can, and pray about it. The things that we must do are pray and talk to God because He is the one that knows our hearts and our minds. He knows the way because He is The Way, you feel that? It don’t matter if you go to church every Sunday, if you are doing wrong and not in tune with Him then you might as well be that junkie in the alley with the needle in his arm. You’re lost, either way. I’m not saying not to be involved in religion, because that is your choice to make. But, we all will be judged according to the live we lead, regardless of anything else. Your religion will not save you when it’s time to go. Just because the preacher tells you the way you are living is right doesn’t matter. Listen to that little voice inside you and it will tell you what you need to do. Talk to that little voice inside you and tell Him to lead you in the ways of righteousness Your relationship with God will take you further than what anybody else can tell you about the way you live your life. NOW THAT’S REAL!

Suggestions, Questions, Topics (Real Talk Request)
Ain’t nobody talking to me this week, huh? Get at me!

Entertainment
Movies to go see: “Talk To Me”, this movie starring Don Cheadle is a true story about Petey Green, an ex convict turned radio personality from D.C. whose story is truly rags to riches. He was a real ass nigga and wasn’t going to let the glitz and glam of Hollywood turn him in something else. I think this is the best movie of the summer and encourage everyone to check it out.

Music to listen to: UGK, these niggas is down south legends, man. Bun B and Pimp C, Believe that. Before Jeezy and Rick Ross, they talked about hitting that interstate slangin’ dope. They got the new album coming out August 7th (tomorrow, damn I got to get that!). I fuck with these dudes real tough. You can’t really appreciate them unless you heard them back in the day. So go get “Dirty Money”, “Ridin’ Dirty”, and all that to get the full experience.

Thank you all for reading my blog. I hope that you obtained the knowledge that you were looking for and the entertainment that you have longed for. Take it easy and may God bless you in all of your future endeavors.

ARCHIVE: 4/14/2008 - REAL TALK WITH TRIP: BLACK AMERICA & THE "CRAB COMPLEX"..

THE INTRO
"The attitude of many black customers toward black business is negative in various manners. Many of us are familiar with the crab complex or crab attitude: this expression originated from the nature of the crabs in a barrel..."
(An expert from "The Valley of Dry Bones" by Dr. Rudolpf Windsor)


Ok, think about it for a minute. Crabs in a barrel.

This is what happens..when crab #1 (negro) tries to make an attempt to get out of the barrel (gutter, hood, block, etc.), the other crabs quickly pull crab #1 back into the barrel. The trying to escape from the barrel is the game and we are all trapped in the game. I'm going to try and shed some light on this complex so that you can make sure that you are not guilty of being a crab.

THE CRAB COMPLEX
This phenomena is any negative, unhelpful behavior in which a particular race (crabs, negros, jews, etc) work against each other in order to reach a common good. It shows itself in many forms such as jealously, coveting, lying, pure and unadulterated hate, etc. It's even more wicked because all of the crabs have hopes of getting out of the barrel and into the "good life". They all have common issues and problems that keep them down in that barrel so why would they try to keep the next crab from "freedom" you ask?

The easy answer would be to say "Mane, niggas don't want to see other niggas do good and that's just that"

That's true but it runs much deeper than just a person's simple dislike of another person. This complex is something that has been manifested in us from the minute our people got on those ships. You imagine being chained up, seperated from your family, placed on a boat and shipped to a foreign land. That's when the game (realization of one's life) starts and it becomes every (wo)man for themselves. So after hundreds of years of being molded into selfish, greedy people it has gotten to us.

The things we value now are obviously different than the things our ancestors valued. We think somebody is doing good if they got a set of rims, a big house, chains, etc. Our ancestors were happy to have well nourished diet and a clean living area. Crab existed then. For example, you had the slaves who would tell on the other slaves who were trying to escape. This all eventually lead to the Underground Railroad and through communication, the other crabs realized, well let's get with them and be free instead of hindering the progress. The thing is, if you see your friend or family with something, you need to realize that most of us have to work for everything that we do have and if we do have anything, it's not that much. So instead of downing them and hoping they lose it, uplift them that they get more and hopefully if they are true and real (trill), they will give you the chance to get on with them and prosper.

See, the thing is, that we can't fail with this because if they are building then they add you and you build then we all prosper as a culture. Black America will prosper because there will be more job opportunities, less crime, healthier, more well-off families.

THE BREAKDOWN
This is how it's supposed to go:

Individual #1 (has something) -> Individual #2 (has nothing but is going to get it with #1) -> Family -> Extended Family -> Friends -> Associates & networking partners -> BLACK AMERICA = OUR RIGHTFUL PLACE IN SOCIETY

But with the crab complex it goes:

Individual #1 -> Individual #2...they can't get along so it never goes any further than that.

THE RESOLUTION
So, I know many of you at this point are saying, "Yeah, well, dat nigga so and so is a fuckin crab mane".

Great! We found the crab, now what do we do about it?

We don't chastise him, throw stones, or commit an act of violence. We communicate (there it goes again) with that person as a group and try to build them up to a level of understanding (letting him/her obtain the information I just gave you).

See, I hope that you can see this is not a piece that is trying to down crabs because we all know a crab or have been guilty of being a crab. This is to let you know where it came from, how it is applied and what we can do about it.


Disclaimer: We (including myself) are all guilty of the things that I speak about. The solution lies in breaking ourselves from this disease and bettering each other as whole and then the rest of society. I'm not a preacher or nothing, I just seek knowledge and it would be wrong of me to not disclose this knowledge to you all. I hope you enjoyed.