2011: Pivotal Point

Presidency. Graduation. Termination. Prayers. Curses. Love. Hate. Smiles. Tears. Pain. Joy. Strength. Weakness. Slabs. Rewards. Riches. Poverty. Through all of that, the one defining moment of the year came on the evening of October 31. I will never ever forget 2011.

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

The Few. The Proud. The Ladies

I usually don't do this but this is going to be a venting post. If you don't feel like hearing it, I suggest you wait until I write another post.

I am old fashioned. If you know me, you know this. But these days, women have forced me to expect them to all have had a promiscuous stage in their lives. It's the norm. Thing is, my lady hasn't had one. So then I'm thinking "Damn, I know some girls who get it in while w/ their boyfriends." But mine really doesn't mess up. And, as crazy as that is, it gives me hope. It lets me know that, though few and far between, there are still good women out here. No. Let me correct that. There are good women who sleep around. My lady is exceptional. For that I love her.

And yes, before you all come at me with the "That's not fair" statements, I know it's not. But you know what? It's life. Sadly, men are expected to have a promiscuous stage. It happens. And the day that you find a way to make everything fair, I propose that you remove that double standard right after racism. But it's not going to happen anytime in our lifetimes so right now I'm addressing the issue at hand - the frequency of women who have been known (like Adam knew Eve) by far too many men.

Ok. Vent session over. Back to my opinionated, advisory, and spiritual posts. In the words of Kwamè Carrol-Bey, whose return next week is highly anticipated, "Hotep."

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

Trials & TR3bulatio​ns

"Great trials seem to be a necessary preparation for great duties." - James Thomson

Recently, I have felt as if the world won't stop moving and actually keeps speeding up. I am consistently overwhelmed and I often make it through situations by the skin of my teeth. But then I thought last night while venting to my girlfriend, each time I make it. I don't ever fail. It just stresses me out but I never quit. And maybe this is God training me for greatness. If I can keep working through these trials and not turn my back on God, imagine how much He can trust me with later on. He has a reason for everything He does. We just have to trust Him.

By the way, my alias given to me by the Pi Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the title of this post if you didn't get it.

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

My First Retraction

I just read an article saying that no young man named Tyreek passed today as a result of a pair of sneakers. It was a story fabricated on Facebook and its fabrication ended up getting national attention. I apologize for not checking my sources. At the same time, the fights and the robbery are things that did happen and made the news. The moral of the post was, "let's reevaluate how much emphasis we put on materials. No one should be robbing or fighting anyone over a pair of shoes." That message has not changed.

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

The Concords He Never Wore (1993-2011)

Today at 12:00 AM, some sneakers called "Concords" came out. I think they're Jordans and are likely $150-$200 but I'm not certain. I've never been one of those people to get caught up in what clothes are "cool." I was always more concerned with which ones would get me the job. But I digress.

Last night I saw on Twitter that some guys in Greensboro robbed a truck that was delivering them. That's crazy but I'm not surprised. Then I get to work this morning and my co-worker tells me people at malls across Charlotte were fighting to get a pair. I thought that to be absurd but some people have nothing else going for them so fighting over a pair of sneakers that will get them the girl of their dreams (and my nightmares) makes sense to them. The final idotic (and truly tragic) occurance pertaining to these shoes was the murder of Tyreek Jacobs who just turned 18 years old on November 4th. What is wrong with people? I am more scared for the future than I am disappointed in the present. Sadly we cannot do anything to bring young Tyreek back. But we can try to solve the problem.

We need character education in schools. I don't know how you're supposed to effictively teach character but it has to happen. Hard work and integrity are dying. They must be revived lest you want your children dying over their tumblers (yes, I'm talking about the coffee mugs. Killing someone over that makes as much sense as over some sneakers: NONE). It still takes a village to raise a child. So when you see someone else's kid acting idiotic, say something. Well actually, I don't know. He might shoot you for embarassing him (That was supposed to be a joke but it's really a concern of most people's these days.)

By the way, the saddest thing is, it's often blacks killing other blacks over this. Yes I said it. And I wouldn't be mad if a white person said it because it's the shameful truth. The reason the Klan is no longer needed is because we are lynching ourselves without thinking twice.


Sidenote: I quickly searched for the shoes on Google. These shoes aren't even new!!! They're rereleasing some old Jordans. $180.

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

#LessonsFrom2011

The first one came randomly and then I started tweeting about things that I learned this year. Some are jokes. Some are very serious. Serious or funny, they're just my thoughts.

I often look to the future w/ such focus that I rarely take the time to really enjoy the present... #LessonsFrom2011

Enjoy every second you have w/ parents, siblings, line, and/or friends b/c no breath is promised... #LessonsFrom2011

Everyone who went to Morehouse is not going to look out for the interests of minorities. i.e. Herman Cain. #LessonsFrom2011

Love a little b/c people die a lot... #LessonsFrom2011 #NoTypo

You can graduate from school and get a job. It might not be easy, but don't give up. #LessonsFrom2011

Greensboro will stunt your growth if you're not there making moves. #LessonsFrom2011

Knowing that you'll always have her is more important than knowing that you've "still got it." #LessonsFrom2011

Thank God when your struggles get more challenging. He obviously believes in you. Believe in yourself. #LessonsFrom2011

Alcohol is not the answer. Prayer is. #LessonsFrom2011

Hazing can go too far. No one should be dying. #LessonsFrom2011

No one can replace your parents. #LessonsFrom2011

A lot of the things people argue or are judgmental about are petty. Let it go. #LessonsFrom2011

A lot of the things people argue or are judgmental about are petty. Let it go. #LessonsFrom2011

You can healthily gain 10 solid pounds in a month if you are committed. #LessonsFrom2011

You can save a lot of money if you would combine a solid budget with discipline. #LessonsFrom2011

People you treat like friends will screw you. People you treat like family won't. #LessonsFrom2011

Ignorance in a nice suit is still ignorance. #LessonsFrom2011

The numbers on the clock are not time. They just measure it. #LessonsFrom2011

There is always someone looking up to you. Don't lead them down. #LessonsFrom2011

Don't make promises to God if you don't intend to keep them. He might call you on them. #LessonsFrom2011

Don't treat the people who treat you the best the worst. That's not fair. #LessonsFrom2011

When you get into the office place, no one (except alumni chapter neos) cares about your letters. #LessonsFrom2011

The tears will come. Only thing you can control is when. And, eventually, you can't even control that. #LessonsFrom2011

The Bible was just the beginning of God's miracles. Your last breath is the most recent of them. #LessonsFrom2011

Don't let them know your dreams. Then they can't shoot them down. #LessonsFrom2011

Unintelligent people get college degrees just as much as intelligent ones. Set yourself apart. #LessonsFrom2011

Trying to keep up w/ the Joneses will leave you in a bad position. #LessonsFrom2011

@Diverse_aphi is one of the coldest ninjas you'll ever meet. #LessonsFrom200891011

Life will blast off. #LessonsFrom2011

Cooking saves a ton of money. #LessonsFrom2011

Tweeting about who you would flip on probably means you wouldn't bust a grape in a fruit fight. #LessonsFrom2011

@SteveDoz will start Harlem Shaking if you put some 1998-2003 era Bad Boy on. #LessonsFrom2011

People who pledged call people who didn't paper. Those people call people who do no work paper. Hmmm... #LessonsFrom2011

Lil' Wayne is going to continue to get worse. #LessonsFrom2011

The Carolina Panthers need to change their name to the Carolina Newtons... #LessonsFrom2011

The Lion King in 3D was DOPE! #LessonsFrom2011

The money goes quicker than it comes if you haven't got a plan for it. #LessonsFrom2011

Just b/c the checks stop coming doesn't mean the bills will. #LessonsFrom2011

Being able to work is a privilege. Thank God for it if you have that opportunity. #LessonsFrom2011

Nature is beautiful. Explore it with a friend. #LessonsFrom2011

Those Chick-Fil-A cows need hooked on phonics. #LessonsFrom2011

Sadly, Dickies are probably never going to come back in style for those who are on the same track as me. #LessonsFrom2011

You'll never be a kid again. But it doesn't mean you have to be a boring adult either. Find a balance. #LessonsFrom2011

Alphas aren't the only frat in the centennial club anymore. Congrats Kappas and Omegas. #LessonsFrom2011

We're still the oldest and the coldest. #LessonsFrom2011

We're still the oldest and the coldest. #LessonsFrom2011

Your problems will follow you if you run. So just stand there and knock them out. #LessonsFrom2011

Tell both of your parents that you love them every single day, even when you don't like them at that moment. #LessonsFrom2011

Tell everyone you love that you love them every day, even when you don't like them at that moment. #LessonsFrom2011

Time is not money. #LessonsFrom2011

Some people are cool with being average. #LessonsFrom2011

Being mad at God doesn't change anything. So love Him through it. #LessonsFrom2011

The govt. lied about the death of Pvt. Johnson. #LessonsFrom2011

If some people are talking bad about you, don't sweat it. If everyone is, check yourself. #LessonsFrom2011

America is going to continue to exploit Black culture. Listen to the song Hollywood Divorce. #LessonsFrom2011

There's nothing like cold pizza in the morning. #SorryForTheWait. #LessonsFrom2011

I don't do Halloween. #LessonsFrom2011

Love isn't forever if you don't work forever. #LessonsFrom2011

Welcome to heartbreak... #LessonsFrom2011


Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

S.S.M.

You can read the article --
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/10170-obama-admin-pushed-for-indefinite-detention-provision

But since some of you don't like to read, here's a quick YouTube snip it


And now my poem since some of you might read that just to support me. Thanks.

The government is corrupt
The government is messed up
No longer about the people
And never been about the steeple
Well, not about what it represents
No, we're moving to unlawful imprisonments
Of American citizens
All because of some dividends?
Well can you divide your soul?
No one knows
But I'd rather not send any of it to hell
But by putting a thinking man in jail
America is damning itself
And all of this for some wealth
No, all of this for the love
But not one that is sent from above
The love of money that is the root of evil
Thus, our nation's driving force are d'evils
Hmmm, remove the apostrophe
Devils. Is anybody watching the
Things that are going on inside your TV screen?
Or are you too busy shopping for shiny things
That you can't afford because you want to keep up
We, the people, are dumb as a nut
And I mean that collectively
And I hope that it hurt infectiously
Because I need these words to spread
Before this poem is classified "Terror Alert, Code Red"
And they take me and my OH red
Away to prision for reading
I'm the babysitter. It's knowledge that I'm feeding
To my generation that doesn't like to pick up a book
And really, they don't have to. We just have to look
At the screen that we tweet on day in and day out
But that would take some kind of devout
Conviciton and how can we have it if we don't even speak with it
No longer will they give speeding but soon "you decided to think" tickets
1984 twenty-eight years later
And I really don't want to call him Obama Vader
But, if these reports are true, he's setting us up
And this lesson is tough
I wanted to believe in the first black C.I.C.
But right now, I'd rather follow B.I.G.
What's a C.I.C.? Use context clues! It's really not that hard
And you wonder why they will have us jailed with no charge.
How can you know your rights if you don't read?
And how can you vote for him again if you don't know how he leads?
I'm not anti-Obama. I'm pro-choice
But to make a choice, I suggest you listen to more than a voice
And look at more than a complexion. He's more than swagger
Shoot, if you want a cool guy, I'm sure someone knows Mick Jagger
And it's not just the president. But it is him too
The whole government is going to do what they do
And that is lie. All except a select few
And that is why I know what I am able to tell you
But don't take my word. Look it up for yourself
NDAA = No Rights. In twitter terms, #EpicFail


Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

Do You Know Who Raped PFC LaVena Johnson?

Being an American is like being married to a prostitute: I love her but I don't trust her to keep my best interests at heart. Just based upon reading historic accounts throughout my life, always from multiple sources, I know that our nation hides a lot of things that will make it look bad. But I digress. My distrust of the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT is not the focal point of this post. The real issue at hand is the death of PRIVATE LAVENA JOHNSON. Ever heard of her? Neither had I until I happened to stumble across her name online and decided to do some research. Problem is, out of the eight initial sites I found regarding her alleged (and probable) RAPE AND MURDER, five of them popped up as unavailable. That's pretty interesting to me. One of the eight was from New Zealand so I'm pretty sure that the AMERICAN GOVERNMENT cannot regulate with what they do and don't publish there. Another site was endorsed by a congressman and tampering with that would raise even more questions.

But anyway, who is PVT. JOHNSON? Well, I am not going to take credit for the information that I have found. What I will do is provide you with links that tell her story, as well as a link to a petition that her RAPE & MURDER be investigated. Please read and share. Then call your congressman/woman and tell them to support Congressman Waxman's inquiry on PVT. JOHNSON'S RAPE AND MURDER which is being COVERed UP by the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. All her parents want is an independent investigation and justice because it is improbable that this young lady, at 5'1" killed herself with an M16 after chemically mutilating her own genitalia, setting herself on fire and breaking her own nose, all while apparently crawling away for HELP...

New Zealand Herald - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10518131

Interview w/ parents - http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/transcript/id/600044/n/Dark-Secrets

Petition - http://orig.colorofchange.org/lavena/

Soon I will be writing a post on how the media doesn't take certain stories seriously. One of the links that didn't work was from CBS television station KMOV-TV out of Missouri. So obviously CBS had the story and didn't feel that it was important enough to put on national television. Is it because she was a woman? Or because she was black? Or because the GOVERNMENT doesn't want to be seen COVERing UP a RAPE AND MURDER so they told CBS that it wouldn't receive federal funding if it ran with the story? Food for thought...

And this is not a shot at the military. I am appreciative of the soldiers. But there are evil soldiers just like there are evil civilians. And I believe that all governmental agencies are corrupt so why would a corrupt agency tell on the evils that occur under its watch?

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

Investments 310: Classic Courting

Last night, my friend who has become like a younger brother, Bryant, was tweeting about how people don't take love seriously anymore. I must say that I agree wholeheartedly. Everyone wants the quick winter cuddle buddy. The holiday fling. The "boo thing." And that's ok as long as you know there is much more to companionship. The nightly quickie is no longer fun when it ends right before Valentine's Day. See, a relationship takes time. It takes dedication. Desireé will be the very first to tell people that I'm not perfect. But in the same breath, she will let you know that she loves and supports me. Tomorrow, she and I will hit another milestone in our relationship. I can say that our relationship is an investment. We are investing our time first, secondly, our emotions, and lastly, our money. But, in principle, it is an investment like any other - I put in a percentage of the time, the emotion, the support, the money, the love that I hope to reap from her in the future. You give up the excitement of the risk to gain a sense of security. Only this time, the capital isn't money but instead it is like which, when it matures, can be recognized as love.

So many of our peers are scared of marriage because of today's statistics. I'm not worried because I've never been a statistic. In the words of LaRon James, "I don't think like regular people who think like regular people who don't think right." I don't believe in wasting my time. And, with each passing day, I am putting more on the principal. But I don't have to worry about getting left out to dry because she doesn't want to get me a Valentine's Day gift. If she can't get me one, that's cool. We're past that. She is already being there for me for richer and poorer and all that other stuff. That, my friends, is the difference between cuddle buddies and us. I'm in it for the long haul.

I guess this post serves two purposes - to say that the relationship thing, as scary as it is, is worth it. Almost every day, Desireé hears me talk about how nervous I am because we're getting so much closer. But I wouldn't have it any other way. The second purpose this post serves is to say "Happy Anniversary Lil' Bit."

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

Night On The Town

*photograph from Greene Street Night Club's party bus

Last night was my last night out in Greensboro as well as my 24th b-day celebration. In the words of Ronald "Boston" Sisco, it was my last night to go hard before I hit my mid-twenties. We had a great time. Much love to everyone who came to the pregame, got on the party bus, and/or was at the club with me. Thanks for all the drinks, hugs, well wishes, and memories.

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown