How Far Are We Gonna Go People?

The blatantly sexually suggestive, foul language, misogynistic, and believe it or not misandrist over and undertones that permeate Hip-Hop and R&B music and video production today has run a muck! -The Brotha's Corner (Inuendo2010 v. 1997) Click link for full blog

“If you can control a man’s thinking, you don’t have to worry about his actions. If you can determine what a man thinks you do not have worry about what he will do. If you can make a man believe that he is inferior, you don’t have to compel him to seek an inferior status, he will do so without being told and if you can make a man believe that he is justly an outcast, you don’t have to order him to the back door, he will go to the back door on his own and if there is no back door, the very nature of the man will demand that you build one.”-Carter G. Wodson, Mis-Education of the Negro

Nicci Minaj at BET Awards 2011

This has gone way too far people!!! Mother Sojourner, Harriett, Lena, Betty, Dorothy, and Coretta are all turning over in their graves behind madness like this... how long are we gonna allow this degenerate behavior to continue people?  This young lady is talented indeed, but she is using the art of free and creative expression in a very deplorable and foul way.  Obviously she is aware of what she is doing beyond just being a creative marketing tool for the proverbial “shock value moment.”  A former mentor once shared with me “Many people tell you what you don’t know won’t hurt you but I’m here to tell you what you don’t know may kill you.”  The mental death of a people is now the order of the day among the African American community, or as some scholars suggest the "dumbing-down" effect.  We are no longer in the grasps of chattel slavery; we are now in the abyss of mental slavery; and it surely is not the “white man’s fault" or doing.  Mr. Willie Lynch's plan is being carried out in full effect today by-US!

92' LA Riots

I do not want to put sole responsibility on Ms. Minaj because this deplorable and disrespectful behavior has been brewing since the polarizing images of the proverbial black male went across the world through print, film, and television media in the early 90’s.  The images found in movies like Boys -N- The Hood, MenanceIISociety, television coverage of events like the OJ Simpson trial, and riots that followed the Rodney King verdict all showed black men in a negative, scary, and demon like manner.  These events scared the mess out of white America and painted young black men as predators that needed to be locked down or killed.  This is why we have seen a rise in what is now known as the prison industrial complex-MASS INCARCERATION.  It also projected an image of us across the entire world; an image not of high esteem and beauty but one of disgust and immorality that allowed our women to be called "bitches and ho's" and our men to be seen as "thugs, gang-bangers, and dope dealers."  These ills of Black urban life have been accepted as the norm and are reflective in every aspect of urban culture today.  We see young men with saggin’ pants, wearing caps indoors, young ladies practically naked on the streets, and adolescents belting out offensively foul language or reenacting the overtly suggestive sexual innuendo of the latest rap song or video.  Today, we find these kinds of antics very funny and amusing.  Our level of tolerance and acceptance today has been diminished from the high moral standards those of old once held us to.  We just do not find these kinds of artistic expressions unsettling or appalling, so we tend to just over look them versus addressing them for what they really are.  We have taken a blind eye approach to the fact and reality of the matter!

Father taking his kids to school.

We have to stand against this in every way possible.  This cannot be just written off as free or creative expression.  Yes, we that are aware can shield our young one’s ears and cover their eyes but we are not always with them.  With the flooding of mass media, it is hard to fully control what their delicate eyes and ears hear and see.  The best thing we can do is train them up in the way to go and hope they remember their training and not give in to the madness that surrounds them constantly.  We are at war and we must realize and recognize the art of war where ever it rears its ugly head.


Forever Forward, Never Backwards

-Bro. Lamon

Who are "they?"

The history of an oppressed people is hidden in the lies and the agreed myth of its conquerors. -Meridel Le Seuer

Sometimes people hold a core belief that is very strong. When they are presented with evidence that works against that belief, the new evidence cannot be accepted. It would create a feeling that is extremely uncomfortable, called cognitive dissonance. And because it is so important to protect the core belief, they will rationalize, ignore and even deny anything that doesn’t fit in with the core belief.” – Frantz Fanon

In the African American community the term used to describe white people or those in power, control, and domination is, "they." One has often wondered who "they" actually were, apart from the sole belief that "they," were only a people or race. One engaging in conversation(s) over the ill effects of socio-economic, political, and racial issues and concerns where blacks, Latinos, and other racially discriminated groups are involved, most likely would invoke the notion of "they did it," or "they caused it" or "they set it up," alluding to "the white."

People Talkin'

Looking at "they" in the context as systems or

constructs puts a clearer understanding of the term in play for me. When we define "they" as systems of control, domination, power, and oppression, we tell the whole truth of the matter versus just saying "they" meaning "the white man did it." There is no doubt that "they" have been the leading architects of these systems of control, domination, power, and oppression. But to suggest that all white men or people are solely responsible for the effect(s) these various systems of control, domination, power, and oppression have and still present are not fully just.


We must continue to tell the whole story of the matter and not omit portions we are unconformable with, ashamed of, or offer up an adulterated version(s) that demonizes or attributes effects or outcomes inappropriately or solely. As African Americans, we must own up to the fact that there were other Africans involved in the ushering in of the "Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade." Perhaps not to the degree of those who carried it out and received a huge benefit from it, like the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Dutch, and Americans. Which by the way, from a theological perspective suggests that these people were perhaps Jews, Christians, and Muslims in many cases. Moreover, when we allow ourselves to be transparent, we allow the spirit of Christ the ability to free and renew our hearts and minds.

PBWY

Bro. Lamon

Your faith is... Do We really understand what faith is?

Your Faith is...

In all of the monotheistic religions, faith is the source of all belief in God's word and promise to those whom believe in Him. From a Biblical perspective we understand that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things, which are seen, were not made of things, which are visible. (Heb 11:1-3 NKJV). Most of us live our lives based on the above scripture; it is the substance of our trust (hope) in what faith truly means to us. One's faith can be the lone catalyst that produces understanding, courage, knowledge and vision, which are the core components of faith that keep us on the straight path towards victory!

Japanese Symbol for "Faith" Kanji

However, faith that does not have definitive understanding, courage, knowledge and vision is forever fading and has no backbone. For example, the required core components of faith are explained throughout scripture. First off, we need an “understanding” of our faith. Having an “understanding” of our faith allows us to stand on the word of God in that we believe that He will do everything that He said He'd do for us! Furthermore, our “understanding” of our faith produces “hope” and the definition of “hope” is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is a feeling that something desired might happen, when the outlook may or may not warrant it. (Farlex Free Dictionary)

"Pistis” root word is the Greek is faith, which also means to come to trust or believe. For man to move forward he must believe and trust that the vision he has comes from God, thus allowing him to move forward it complete faith without hesitation. “Faith that moves mountains is first of all focused on God. The objective of your faith is God. 

Larry Poncho Brown "Window of Faith"

The objective of your faith is whatever mountain you are dealing with. However, without faith it is impossible to please God." (Salas, T June 2010).  This is “such a powerful description of what 'courage' looks like. With it we lay hold to eternal life, we overcome, we become more Christ like. Faith is the catalyst for apprehending the intangible. I always like a man with vision. A man or woman with vision means that they are not limited to what they see in the natural but they reach for what is in the eternal realm of the Spirit and pull it into NOW! I trust God and I know something about Him, He is faithful. Having faith in the originator of faith can only produce a positive result..." (Seaton, J June 2010)

As we journey along the path of life it is wise that we surround ourselves with people that have a spiritual backbone. Because those are type of Believers that will never leave you on the side of the road like the traveler whom was hit on his head while on the pathway from Jerusalem to Jericho. Those are type of Believers you will want with you in a dark alley. This is the kind of faith that Yeshua (Jesus) displayed during his time among people of his day. The reason why we honor and love him so today is because he was the greatest example of what “faith,” truly is. Simply put one can say Christ’s “faith” was very courageous and exemplary especially when we study the scripture and learn of the trials and tribulations that tested his “faith” daily.

Most of us have heard the saying "Without vision there is no progress,” however many of us tend to forget that the above saying was coined from Biblical text. In the book of Hosea 4:6, it says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” and Proverbs 29:18, it says, "Where there is no vision the people perish; but he who keeps the law blessed is he." When one has a vision they are able to proceed forward in making progress of being a good steward of faith.

The above paragraph makes a great segue into another component required on the faith journey and that is "knowledge." What is "knowledge" according to the Farlex free dictionary; knowledge is the state or fact of knowing. Paraphrasing Min. Louis Farrakhan "Knowledge compliments faith... In other words what good is faith if one doesn't have the knowledge to back it up." Moreover, faith can therefore be gained through reflection and the acquisition of knowledge, and not by blind and irrational commitment.

The Holy Qur’an lines up with the Biblical teachings of faith as it states true faith is that which is based on knowledge and supported by argument. Any belief that is not based and supported is considered by the Qur'an to be mere caprice and whim, which a thinking person must avoid. (Sheikh Idris, J,). Jesus taught: “If the blind lead the blind both fall in the ditch." When our faith is definitive in understanding, courage, knowledge and vision in it will never allow us to be impulsive and cowardly followers of Almighty God! When we stand on the truth of His word--we are unapologetic and unwavering in our stance against the wiles of opposition towards His word! So, the knowledge and understanding that we have in God supports our faith, which builds our courage and grows our vision in what has been promised. 

Your faith is the protector of your destiny this is how we are able to truly acknowledge God's word when it says, " For we walk by faith and not by sight." (2Cor 5:7 KJV). “And but my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." (Heb 10: 38 NIV). "Faith is deeply and firmly implanted in human nature in that, it is not like a plant which has sprouted from dung which has no root and a slight calamity can uproot it like the word of disbelief about which can be uprooted from the very surface of the earth; it has no stability” (Sheikh Idris, J, Pillars of Faith, www.islamm.com, Holy Qur’an 14:26).

"A person with a good experience is never at the mercy of a person with a good argument. You have an experience that is building a foundation that cannot be moved. And it will also be a place for others to build on--I know you can't have faith unless you're being challenged. So the courage you're exhibiting let's me know that it is only matter of time." (Seaton, J June 2010). Although we may not have the physical sight to see what is in store for us God gives us the knowledge and understanding, which produces the hope that builds our courage that provides us with a vision for us to truly see the spiritual realm of His word and promise. Furthermore, this is why we are able to bear witness to the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) and all the prophets that have come from Abraham to Muhammad. Because their faith ultimately was the protector of there destines!

Life is challenging and seemingly impossible in itself and without faith it is even more perplexing. We cannot expect to proceed forward with any certainty unless definitive understanding, courage, knowledge and vision are at the forefront, which are the tools given to us by our faith that causes us to move forward. It is our faith that allows us to soar high and run towards our personal pursuits when we may have our doubts and others deem us unwise. Furthermore, we are never in total chaos or loss when we have faith to move us forth during our dark moments. It is our straight path to victory!

More next time God Willing...

Peace & Blessings,


Bro. Lamon -Chairman Spiritual Institute of Divine Teachings


Scriptural and Literary support:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ep 6:10-20 NKJV)

There is no compulsion in religion — the right way is indeed clearly distinct from error. So whoever disbelieves in the devil and believes in Allah (God), he indeed lays hold on the firmest handle which shall never break. And Allah (God) is Hearing, Knowing. (Surah 2:256 MMA)

Copyright June 2010 The Spiritual Institute of Divine Teachings-Revised August 2011

Not so optimistic?

People that know me know me to be a fairly optimistic person but lately I'm not feelin' so optimistic about the things that are going on in the world today.  From the strange natural disasters to the insane acts of violence to the unusual weather patterns to downfall of world economies to the politicians ready to hang one another, etc...  It is obvious that we are in that Day of Judgment the scriptures speak of and have been in it for some time now!  Whether or not you're a religious or spiritual person it is very apparent that something is going on in our world as we know it and that very powerful forces are at work on both sides of the coin.

‎"You have to create problems to create profit.  There is no profit under the current paradigm in saving lives, putting balance on this planet, having justice and peace or anything else.  There is just no profit there."- Michael Ruppert

Here's A Thought... aka "Academic Workout"

Here's a thought... As a people who have been enslaved, taken from their original land, forced to live in a strange land with a new name, religion, and way of life. Do we make concessions for the initiators of our torment? Or is just forgiveness?

To my historical and scriptural scholars... Who was Constantine theGreat? He is revered as the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and issued the Edict of Milan that promoted religious tolerance. However, he is the initiator of many of the pagan traditions practiced that have nothing to do with Christ or so-called Christianity. 

Such as: The mythical and preposterous version of the Virgin Birth of Mary, Jesus' b-day as December 25th, The symbol of the "Cross" representing Christ instead of the Fish, The belief in the Trinity as Father, Son, & Holy Spirit are all One and last but not least Sunday as the Sabbath instead of Saturday. None of this is true so-called Christianity, it's a version just like the King James Version of the Bible is a reinterpretation, translation, or revision of the Original.

"Every aspect has a an affect on the other." "Anytime something has been translated or revised from its original form it looses something in the process."

Dr. Josef A. A. Ben-Jochannan, in his book “The Need For A Black Bible,” states, “…magical (esoterical) religion has been one of mankind’s greatest emotional achievements, equally mankind’s greatest creation against peaceful coexistence between socio-political groupings.” He further states, that we must remove from ourselves the “mental shackle of esoterical religion.”

Where did Rap Music & Hip Hop Culture go?

"You have to create problems to create profit. There is no profit under the current paradigm in saving lives, putting balance on this planet, having justice and peace or anything else. There is just no profit there."- Michael Ruppert



Technique 1200's Turntable



Long before Hip Hop came on the scene in the late 70's and early 80's before sky rocketing into the 90's--she was destined to become an anomaly.  The deviation and departure from the original essence of rap has caused a paradigm shift that has caused her to make a turn to the dark side like Anakin Skywalker.  To suggest that Rap Music and Hip Hop culture have fallen into a cesspool of filth, outrageous sensationalism, and pompous grandeur today would not be an unfair assessment.

Hip Hop is no different than any other activity of life and is not exempt from the grasps of corruption or damage that is reflective of the current state of human life today.  As a former DJ, I cherished the days of putting a vinyl record on a Technique 1200 turntable, it was simply priceless! 

The Golden Era

During the Golden Era of Hip Hop (1986-1999), the era that I am most intimate with sparked of the most influential period of music history in modern times.  Like Muhammad Ali said, "I shuck up the world!"  That's exactly what Hip Hop did on so many levels because it was an expression of a generation.  Chuck D of Public Enemy said it best "Rap is the CNN of the ghetto."  This was the time of the beautiful diversity in Rap Music and Hip Hop culture that expressed various perspectives of urban life.  We had a menu of choices to choose from that spoke to our collective and diverse interests.  There was the politically sharp Public Enemy, the savvy Run-DMC, the controversial NWA, and the jovial DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince to just name a few.  Hip Hop allowed us to be ourselves and not have to emulate anybody else but ourselves. 



B.I.G. & Pac early 90's

I saw the change coming during the East Coast/West Coast Beef which was a sign of what was to come..  The implementation of diabolically concocted schemes and tactics descended upon Hip Hop culture like bats in the night--schemes like what I've termed as "crime profit theory," the shrewd economic tactic practiced by privatized companies to gain and profit off of the prison system.  Of the nearly 2.1 million adult men and women imprisoned in the United States, roughly 70% are persons of color (Davis, 1998).  Many of them are Black and Latino males between the ages of 18-35 in this country (USA) and of those many most are in prisons run by private corporations like Corrections Corporation of America, Wackenhut, who trade their stock on Wall Street based upon how many people are in jail (Ruppert, 2011).

In my humble estimation this is no different than Blacks in the south picking cotton from sun up to sun down or being sharecroppers making pennies--while those who profited off of their blood, sweat, and tears made millions!  "It's all the same game," just an updated version.  "Recording executives are more interested in turning a quick buck than nurturing rap culture -- and they are behind the apparent demise of hip-hop music," suggests Hip Hop legend Davey D.  And might I add the demise of American music in general.

So, for one to assert that the "East Coast/West Coast Beef" was orchestrated wouldn't be too preposterous of an assertion especially when covert and overt operations like CONTELPRO existed during the 60's to expose, disrupt, misdirect, discredit, or otherwise neutralize" the activities of those progressive socio-political movements and their leaders of the 60's.  The beef sure made a lot of people rich in particular the record companies and yet the murders of Biggie and Pac still remain unsolved.

Hip Hop Culture

The "dumbing down" of Rap music to gain profit versus producing a culture that has a keen mental perspective is outright criminal!  The high bar that was set in the early 90's by acts like the Ghetto Boys, Spice 1, Ice-T, Eric B & Rakim, Kool G. Rap, and KRS-One of the vivid accounts of urban life fell off dramatically and abruptly started the demise of a culture that was once responsible for changing and saving a generation.  The neutralization of powerful voices like Poor Righteous Teachers, Gangstarr, Brand Nubian, X-Clan, and Kam were all diminished by the late 90's quickly became directly and in-directly responsible for the filthy, disrespectful, and deplorable condition(s) of a generation.  Today, we have more and more Black and Latino teen pregnancy, teen violence, and teens not graduating from high school like never before as all the latest statistics suggest.  All of these ill conditions can not only be linked to Hip Hop culture but to a failing educational system, the prison industrial complex, and a corrupt monetary system, just to name a few.

Thank the Hip Hop gods for the re-birth of conscious rap and that there is hope but it is being challenged and comprised daily.  Now, we have the likes of Common and Kayne West, whom many would say have gone mainstream and have been suppressed from the conscious rappers that they once were so they could make more money.  I beg to differ in some respects but that's another story.  But there are others like Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, Mos Def along with the refreshing Lupe Fiasco and the intelligent Mikkey Halsted both from Chicago and the radically charged Kendrick Lamar of Compton who are carrying the torch.  The edgy late 90's rap trio the LOX whom were signed to Bad Boy Records the label that broke the careers of the late great Notorious B.I.G. and Puffy made a serious suggestion "Let's Start Rap Over, Back To The Way Things Were."  Where's the love? 

Nuff Said!

Literary, Scriptural Support, & Footnotes:

^{Davis, Angela Y. September 1, 1998. "Masked Racism: Reflections on the Prison Industrial Complex". See}

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=8

http://parkstepp.tumblr.com/post/3628963426/you-have-to-%C2%A0create-problems-to-create-profit

 
"A Huey P. Newton Story - Actions - COINTELPRO
 
COINTELPRO Revisited - Spying & Disruption - IN BLACK AND WHITE: THE F.B.I. PAPERS

http://defendingjustice.org/pdfs/factsheets/10-Fact%20Sheet%20-%20System%20as%20Racist.pdf

http://www.daveyd.com/commentaryishiphopdead.html

http://www.alternet.org/media/48693

"No One Has a Monopoly on God..."

In the universal realm of life the thought that God is one honors the beauty of His creation. It doesn't matter if you're from 119th St in Chicago or Avenue de France in France, whether you call Him Allah, Yahweh, Father, Abba, Jehovah, or Ishvar --God is the universal governing force and power of all mankind.  -Me

1. God

a. A being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions.

b. The force, effect, or a manifestation or aspect of this being.

2. A being of supernatural powers or attributes, believed in and worshiped by a people, especially a male deity thought to control some part of nature or reality.

3. An image of a supernatural being; an idol.

4. One that is worshiped, idealized, or followed: Money was their god.

5. A very handsome man.

6. A powerful ruler or despot.