My Mama made me Stupid, but the Devil, he made me Smart!

....thank you, BigBoi! ....I'll take it from here, MyMan....

It's mid-August 2001....I'm in Washington, DC....at the GreyHound Bus Station watching my Mother wave "good-bye" behind the dark tint of the "Proletariat Chariot."

Damn....I'm feelin' lonely than a muhphuka....What the hell I have I decided to do with my life?

She was on her way back to San Antonio, Texas....and there was a large part of me that wanted to jump on that bus...and ride back with her.

My Father, Brother, AND Sister TOLD her not to take this journey with me! She had just had her tonsils removed the week before--and she was in NO physical shape to travel. But, true herself, my Mama never listened to a word. And as I loaded up that late-model Buick LeSabre in Texas, she made sure I left just enough room for her.

Three (3) days later, we pulled up to the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia). I attempted to find residence near Howard University within two days! (Yep, proper planning wasn't always my forte.) In spite of the lack of planning and my ignorance to the geography and cost-of-living scale in DC, I managed to find a room for $280.00/month--all bills paid. My new address was 27 Bryant St. NW., Washington, DC 20001. {See below}.

Looks ravishing, doesn't it?

At full capacity, I was ONE of SIX people who lived here. My room was on the 3rd Floor...where all of the Heat and Humidity from the other floors would rise and collect. This "abode" came "fully-equipped" with NO A/C, filthy carpet [infested with mosquitoes and mosquito larvae], roaches [and other types of vermin], a semi-functional coin-operated washer/dryer, squeaky floors, old/tiny bathrooms, and the smell of an aging house that needed serious overhaul. As you can see from the picture, it came with an awesome PINK paint for the exterior. WTF? In short, it was one HOT, SWEATY BOX nestled in the Heart of the City. My roommates and I appropriately called our quaint homestead "The Dungeon." This moniker was most fitting....trust me.

Needless to say, it took a while before my "pimpin'" enticed those of the opposite sex to enter...though eventually they did come. (...And my hat goes off to every young lady that ever visited me there.)

In any regard, the lessons I learned while living in this section of NorthWest Washington, DC was just the beginning of my lessons in becoming a Man, a Scholar, and a Street Urchin.

I learned the rhythms and schedules of the D-Boys on the corner of Bryant & North Capitol. Through watching them, I learned to "tell time." Their morning greetings and saluations to each other meant it was 7:00 a.m...time for class. During the 5 o'clock rush hour they'd be out on the block...busy...working at a frantic pace...yet keep a "cool pose." For their nighttime patrons, they'd be heavy on the block from 11:00 pm-1:00 a.m. as well. (They kept great schedule; better than an alarm clock.)

I learned the mechanics of the "Gas Game" in P.G. County from a CrackHead/Crack Dealer/Thief/All-Around Career Criminal....he was one of my many roommates during my time in P.G. County, Maryland. This guy was almost the Devil in the flesh! Your typical BadGuy. You could SMELL the evil on this dude! Man, he would STEAL and LIE! But, due to conditions beyond my control (primarily ECONOMIC), I shared residence with this guy for approximately ONE year...and in having to deal with him...I learned a great deal about tolerance, accessing and exercising different forms of social power, detecting and utilizing manipulation, the list goes on.....

And though some of his general character traits were despicable, I formed an ability to appreciate his perspectives on certain issues. (Not always finding agreement...but understanding or appreciating the view of another person taught me a great deal about effective communication.)

In fact, for Thanksgiving 2005, we ate a Thanksgiving meal at the house in which everything was garnered from he and his homies panhandling in front of the local Giant grocery store. While eating, he told me that we were experiencing a more authentic Thanksgiving than most people, because like the real Pilgrams, we were feasting off the "land" [read: the people]. In the midst of my girlfriend leaving me for another person, my family members being 1,500 miles away, and experiencing a Thanksgiving void of any loved ones, I remember responding to his assessment of the situation by smiling and saying, "You are absolutely correct, Chief...please pass the cornucopia."

Later, I refined my Chess game with a few GoodGuys who never spoke too much or shared too much information. One, in particular, however, was up front about his incarceration...and the ways in which he improved his Chess game while behind bars. I would listen. I would share. I would listen. I would share. It was a delicate balance...because I would never divulge too much...and I KNEW they were selective about what they divulged as well.

I was never confused about being in the midst of "smart" people. Outcasts and pariah in the eyes of society, but some of these people have been far more intelligent than persons whom I shared space with in advanced theory class. As a matter of fact, I would share my dissertation ideas, my teaching methodologies, and my future plans for spreading the rhetoric of ghettoGEEKS with my "deviant" brethren, and in turn, received some of the best pragmatic and theoretical critique.

However, I always felt as if I was in the Devil's pit. I never got too comfortable. I'm not sure if I was EVER RELAXED during this 5-year period of my life. Even during the best of times, the Chess game never STAYED on the board.

DC, Maryland, and Virginia....

It was here, where I learned what could happen if you choose to ignore the LONG-ARM of the STATE. It was here, that I grew accustomed (numb) to ambulance sirens sounding ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT LONG. It was here, where I learned to appreciate the taste of West Indian Cuisine. It was here, where I learned you had to be RICH to be POOR...in the City. It was here, where I learned that not ALL conversations with the Homeless were a waste of time. It was here, where I learned about the depth of PRETENTIOUSNESS amongst the Bourgeoise. It was here, where I discovered though we lived in a Shitty House in the 'Hood...once we got upon the roof, we had a BEST view of the National Fireworks during the 4th of July!

I share all this to say....It is in some of the most UNCOMFORTABLE situations where the most GROWTH occurs.

Without a doubt, there will be future situations where the Devil will re-introduce himself to me. But, God allowed me to come through the experiences I just shared as a stronger individual...and I am confident that He will walk with me as I meet my future challenges. But, the greater blessing has been in sharing these experiences with you.

So, irregardless of your situation...you need to GET UP, GET OUT, and GET SOMETHING!

OuttaBoundz
WeBeGeekin'
www.ghettogeekin.blogspot.com

Is there ANY significant meaning BEHIND these Gangsta Rap Tunes?

The most popularized forms of violence within rap music are those acts of violence perpetuated by black males against other black males (see Cave, et. al, 2006; Hari, 2002; Hiatt, 2005; Mitchell & Johnson, 2005). This intra-racial violence is commonly referred to as horizontal violence and/or intrinsic violence (Fanon, 1963; Roberts, 2004). It is Neil Roberts (2004) who defines intrinsic violence in juxtaposition with instrumental violence (anti-hegemonic/vertical) by suggesting “in contrast to instrumental violence, [intrinsic violence] refers to a metaphysical concept in which the act of either random irrational or calculated rational violence itself contains inherent value” (p. 146). Frantz Fanon (1963) uses a psychological approach to introducing intrinsic violence through a discussion on the freedom experience that dreams provide the oppressed. Fanon’s argument is that while dreaming the oppressed individual experiences a freedom of motion through physical acts of running, jumping, and climbing. Once the dream is finished, the oppressed individual exiting repose first exercises this physicality against his own people. Because the colonizer/oppressor is much an exhibitionist with power, and as a result an intimidating force, “the muscular tension of the colonized periodically erupts into bloody fighting between tribes, clans, and individuals” (p. 17).

Anthony Pinn (1999) suggests that a condition of absurdity plagues severe economically deprived communities. He defines absurdity as a phenomenon that “connotes alienation from self, and leads to a collapse of self-esteem” (p.10). He continues by stating that self-hatred, which is manifested in Black-on-Black crime, is a result of inhabiting in a state of absurdity. The hostile environment essentially creates absurdity that many inner-city Black Americans face as a result of economic malaise and institutional and political racism. Pinn (1999) does an excellent job in connecting the notion of absurdity with the awesome defects of ghetto life. However, what he does even better is that he connects these traumatic situations in the Black community with the need for renewed combat and a new vision for the Black community. He offers both gangsta rap and progressive rap as a rhetorical means for social transformation.

This black-on-black violence is thoroughly documented throughout the chronicles of Hip-Hop culture and rap narratives. A mere 10 years ago intrinsic violence reached its peak within the Hip-Hop culture with the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. in an intense, media-infused, East Coast/West Coast rap war. To date, this is the most unequivocal example of the intensity and tragedy of intrinsic violence within Hip-Hop. It is still important to not that though not as publicized, there were violent deaths of rap artists before Tupac and Biggie and rappers have met violent deaths afterward as well. One of the latest violent deaths being that of Detroit-rapper, Proof, Eminem’s hype man and member of the popular rap group D-12 (Cohen, 2006; Zahlaway, 2006).

Opposite Fanon’s (1963) psychological approach to understanding intra-racial violence, Arthur Pressley (1992) opts to take a more cultural approach to the problem. Placing more of an emphasis on the culture of impoverished inner-city communities, it becomes important to note that in 1978, the same period as the birth of Hip-Hop, death figures for black men were around 37,000 a year (Pressley, 1992). These deaths are illustrated as “920 suicides, 650 homicides, 20,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 500 deaths from cirrhosis of the liver” (p. 93); remaining deaths were distributed between prisons and hospital drug treatment facilities. Sharing this stance with Pressley (1992), Rose (1994) reminds us “poor people learn from experience when and how explicitly they can express their discontent” (p. 99). So, whether using indirection, signification, other forms of metaphor, or direct verbal confrontation, American blacks have consistently resisted the hegemonic powers that be. In essence, the dances, languages, and musics produce communal bases of knowledge about social conditions, communal interpretations of them and quite often serve as the cultural glue that fosters communal resistance (Fanon, 1963; Rose, 1994). Though total black resistance is duly noted, the vehicle of rap music and Hip-Hop culture is characteristically masculine. Kitwana (2003) offers the idea that “rap music has given young Black males {italics added} a primary avenue through which to access public space” (p. 87). It is Eithne Quinn (2005) who proffers the notion that “gangsta rap is seen both to reflect and to be constitutive of the worsening problems facing African-American communities and especially young black men” (p. 19). It is this collective scholarly emphasis on black masculinity, within Hip-Hop culture more specifically, and African-American resistance more generally, that create a catalyst for research dedicated to uncovering phenomena concerning black masculinity. As an astute advocate the feminist movement, bell hooks (2004) comments on the paucity and/or whimsical treatment of black masculinity in contemporary research on black men. She notes “the absence of this work stands as further testimony validating the contention that the plight of black men is not taken seriously” (p. xvi). hooks’ (2004) concern, being quite valid, provides significant reason for brief examination of black masculinity and resistance.



WeBeGeekin'
www.ghettogeekin.blogspot.com

Pirates, Skullz, and Bones.....

PIRATES, SKULLZ, AND BONES....

This past week was one full of attention placed on a subject typically associated the 1700s.....Piracy! And we're not talkin' lifting music from your favorite P2P site, either. We're talkin' about REAL LIVE pirates in small speedy boats assuming control of much larger vessels loaded with millions of dollars in "1st World" goodies. President Obama gives the "OK" for the Navy's use force. Three pirates die. Captain Richard Phillips is freed. One pirate [16 years old] is one his way to the United States to face the consequences of his crime. A threatened American life was saved. President Obama passes another national security test. The right-wing still grumbles.

While having flashbacks 17th and 18th century versions of Long John Silver and Captain Hook, I couldn't help but have flashbacks that are only 46 years old. 1963. Frantz Fanon. The Wretched of the Earth. The Somali pirate situation is The Wretched of the Earth in actual form. Keeping in mind, Fanon (1963) presupposes that an oppressed population of people are consistently concentrating on the acquisition of "Bread and Land." In other words, the poor and disenfranchised are generally obsessed with survival. No surprise. The history of Somali demonstrates an extreme lack of any central power led by those peoples indigenous to region. Over the years, the Italians, British, and French have all had their hands in Somalia (Wiki, 2009). Currently, there are three major groups vying for control of the country. In short, Somalia falls within the category of the world's developing nation. (But, developing may be too strong a word.) It is UTTER disarray! As any group of people who are trying to live, survive, and enjoy the comforts of full and complete humanity, they must begin with the acquisition of "Bread and Land." To do this, they have taken advantage of their geographic location on the Horn of Africa; and started going "fishing." Highway robbery on the seas! Piracy! As Richard Pithouse (2003) explains, liberation is associated with a certain type of humanism that is gained when the oppressed rise up against hegemony (Pithouse, 2003). The Somali rise against hegemony (US, Britain, any country who uses these ship lanes) is, of course, criminal. ...and now we'll continue to follow the story. I'm sure we'll gain a lot of information surrounding the captured pirate.

STICKS AND STONES...

And the United States no longer tortures...or do we? Well, President Obama has allowed light to be shined on years of "Bush secrets" on torture. But, Obama does not seem ready to allow for further examination, official acknowledgment, and subsequent prosecution. Obama is holdin' his foot on the brake. Now, I understand the political reasons for doing so...but...I have to side with Keith Olbermann on this one. YOU'VE GOT TO SET A PRECEDENT ON THIS ONE, BARACK! ...I mean, we should all understand and realize that violence has played an important role is world history and continues to play an important role in contemporary global society. TRUE WORD. So President Obama, please stay dedicated to the intent of bringing attention to these "Bush League" war crimes. (Cheney has been too intent of discrediting the president for it to be about nothing...let us hear him now explain why and how torture during the Bush administration.) Maybe we'll then understand more clearly why, though they were extremely dedicated to making the world safer a place, they never achieved that goal, either.

...AND WEED IN BONGS...

Mexico and Drugs. It's a big deal. But, the latest bit of good news in this story deals with the fact that as a result of Obama's visit, Border Patrol is NOW checking for GUNS and CASH going SOUTHBOUND in to Mexico. I wonder how Lou Dobbs feels... Do you think this might solve the problem, Lou? Please tell me how this is another way Obama is seeking to blame America for the violence... We [Americans] want the drugs...and the Mexican drug cartels want [need] the guns to protect business interests. Simple business-social problem. There is also a simple business-social solution. In fact, there may be several simple solutions....beginning with the legalization of lesser drugs [if not all drugs] and the serious/sincere regulation and enforcement of the laws subsequent this policy change. This action may lead to significant decrease on the prison/jail rosters...which why I think it hasn't been done thus far.