Nine for Ya Mind, Part 1

And the 9 is underway...
Understand that perception is reality, friends...
You have been forewarned, ha ha ha ha ha!

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Open Pamphlet Says:
I hate black people.
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*short intermission*
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Iceman Says:
"What up world, this is Sway...and THIS, is my inexplicable headwrap."

On September 21st, I attended an event called "The Minstrel Show." Co-sponsored by the Black Student's Union, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the event's purpose was to discuss the history of minstrel shows, and the relevance to today's culture. There is plenty to talk about from that night, but first:

This event was also being organized by students at RIT(whereas I go to the obviously better known University of Rochester). While a Delta was there, advertising for the event, and elderly white woman approached the table. "Are you all bringing back minstrel shows?" Obviously dumbfounded, the Delta explained that it was actually discussing minstrel shows. Unfazed, the lady continues: "Well I just love minstrel shows, my siblings and I used to always gather around and watch them sing and dance. I sure do miss them." [This is the part where I respond....but what do you say to that. Really?]

It just so happened that I finally decided to listen to Little Brother's "The Minstrel Show" album that week. That will be saved for a future blog, however. The event itself began with crowd participation. The hosts were looking for volunteers to do the "Chicken Noodle Soup."(Apparently, the Good Doctor has spared himself of this great achievement in black history. God is good.) After finally coercing a girl to get up and dance, she was joined by two other people in the back......

wearing black face. [This is the part where I explain...but you all are intelligent.]

So with that introduction, we began talking about the history of minstrel shows. Quite a few people didn't know at least something about minstrel shows; but before I pass judgment, I'll just assume that once they know what it is, they know they don't want to know too much about it--kinda like watching Rosewood again if you knew how pissed off you'd be at nearby white people. Anyway, the conversation then shifted to modern day coons, and the main feature was the Ying Yang Twins(HEEEEEEGH!?). This, actually, is where the discussion took an unfortunate turn.

Instead of dealing with the bigger problem, which is getting ourselves in a position where we can give our people better opportunities to make it, people tried to persecute Lil Jon and Ying Yang Twins, even Damon Wayans and Chappelle(we did see the Pixie clip from The Lost Episodes). To some people, if your behavior is anything near what we consider unacceptable, you are written off. And that's unfortunate. When an individual is given poor options, what can they do but make poor choices?

Like my post, eventually the event came to an end. You see, this is a topic that could go on forever, because talking about it is only the beginning, with no means to an end. If we really are going to make the changes, we have to apply the action verb, and MAKE the change. People who don't know any better need to become more aware of their surroundings, and people who do know better need to stop completely isolating themselves from the rest. For example, a little side game I played the day of the event, was to dress up in a suede or orange jumpsuit, black du-rag, orange NC hat, a t-shrt that says "Crunk" in the front, and my recently bought Tims(first pair I ever owned). And I wore this outfit while I did my low-power, low-voltage circuit research; while I attended my class on Semiconductor Devices; and when I went there that evening with at least 4 or 5 points that made people stop and go "Hmmm." So it's very unfortunate how many people judged me who didn't see me demonstrate my God-given ability to think...but I guess they need to ask about those Rattlers next time.

Again, there's so much I could write on, but I'm making a blog post, not a novel, so hopefully this was sufficient and worth your time. Stay up.

Iceman













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*short intermission*
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11th Letter Says:
You heard the Nine
And you started running for no reason
Running out of reasons
To start believing
We believe in nothing but the way of the gun
Either she trust one and he busts one
Or he disgust one and before he discuss son
The youngun’ is gone
They both bust one and ask questions later
Then the smoke is blown off the gun and catch vapors
End life premature
Bring in life premature
Then just content
By simply being able to endure
Fertilize our minds with manure
No!
I want to see miracles grow
I want hard work to show
I want young kids to know
I want old folks to know
That knowledge is power
And that we’re in the final hour
We just been on CP sched
I’m saying be fifteen minutes ahead
Now from fifteen minutes behind
That’s a 30 minute rewind
Now look at that
That’s a 180 degree turn
Around this slave ship
Oh I’ma make you learn
The sequel to Carter G
I don’t mess with Mickey D’s
Or Burger King
They murder kings
Not hardly tryna let them get at my arteries
No laffy taffy
Or chicken noodle soup
Tired of this junk
I need some soul food
All this lukewarm funk
Got me in a cold mood
Where the soul went?
Walk on the wrong road in life
You get ya soles bent
Walk on the wrong road in life
You get ya soul bent
It’s all making me so tense that…
I think I wanna put a nine to my mind
And fire the desire to give
Not the desire to live
But I’d be killing myself nonetheless, you dig?
I love black people
I love white people
I love all people
Too bad we not equal
In fact
I’m mad we don’t treat other folks
As well as we treat dogs and cats
Some folks are helpless; punchless
And that’s just in the States
People overseas are dying in bunches
And we over here tripping off race
Why do we plug our problems into a live feed
With frayed wires
For all the world to see
It’s in newspapers and it’s on TV
So we have a lot of shock value
But no juice
And Gin, and then cats still rappin’ about chains?
When we gon’ get loose?
Race isn’t a part of the problem to me
So what is the solution
Gotta heal this moral leprosy
The sores all over our collective body
From the wars that we fight illogically
So as the cover’s exposed, the skin is peeling
I’m feeling like we need to ask for some healing
Granted I know of 10 men
That were healed back when
And nine didn’t come back
But you listening to the descendant
Of the one that did on this track
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...To be continued...