Who U Calling Soft?

Welcome back 2 the past. It’s a place that we haven’t quite figured out (or don’t want 2) here in the 21^st century.  The 2 have folded N on 1 another and not enough of us R paying attention. As the saying by Jorge Santayana goes, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," mirrored by the honorable Marcus Garvey, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” With this entry I hope that I will stimulate some memories 2 strengthen some roots.

As I write this there R people attempting 2 peacefully negotiate the discontinuation of “progress and expansion” that threatens the land and water of our people. In many, if not most, urban areas populated by us, Europeans R popping up, having heard of these fertile grounds, snatching the land, extoling Christian values without a care 4 the displaced people who R sent to concentrated areas of those cities that the thieves didn’t want & arguably has or will have less resources when they get there. Roving bands of Caucasians, some commissioned by their government, others simply organized 4 that purpose, R killing melanated men, women and children across the country in collusion with mass media that denigrates the image of those melanated people so that their murders somehow seem justified.   In fact the propaganda machine is so strong and omnipresent that many of the melanated people R confused as 2 who they R and fail 2 recognize 1 another from region 2 region.  Whether U R only focused on the present or solely knowledgeable of the past, all of these things should ring a bell with U.

Our parents, worse than our grandparents, gave birth to us who are worse than they, and we shall in our turn bear offspring still more evil. ~Horace (Roman poet)

Whether we’re talking about the Dakota Access Pipeline project or the transcontinental railroad expansion between 1863 & 1869; whether, from the above description U pictured the Homestead Act of 1862 or modern day gentrification pacts in urban cities; whether U thought I was referencing the Seminole Wars of the early 19^th century, the Trail of Tears of 1838 or the 2day’s levels of police brutality and murder; whether U felt the parallel between the slave trade undertaken by pirates and privateers on the water or the system of mass incarceration undertaken by modern day slave catchers on the land, U WOULD B CORRECT. This is the same sh**, remixed and done over just enough that an unwary mind may not recognize it. But recognize we must. We cannot let this loop N history continue.

N that, I’m watching a lot of my people post, “Dear Racism, I am not my grandparents. Sincerely, These Hands,” 2 note how overt racism will not B tolerated N this day & age as their apparently more passive ancestors did. Though humorous and cute at 1^st, it’s bothered the sh** outta me. It says that my people still 2 this day do not know their long tradition of resistance and there4 have not proper context, image or inspiration on the battle we’re facing and the war we’re fighting. 

Yo people ain’t never been no punks

I get it. We’re not widely taught about the Africans who fought against the kidnapping of their people on the grounds of Africa, long B4 honored ancestors like Yaa Asantewaa and Mama N’zinga in the 1800’s. We don’t know that our ancient Mexican ancestors, the Aztecs successfully resisted Cortes’ onslaught until a smallpox infection, brought by the Spanish, decimated their numbers, NOR do we know our connection 2 them as African descendants (despite them depicting themselves in shades of brown, building pyramids and practicing similar traditions as the Mande and others). Successful Black towns R ignored. We don’t talk about John Horse and the Seminole Wars and the freeing of hundreds of enslaved people around Florida 25 years B4 Lincoln’s “Emancipation Proclamation.”   

We’re instead given briefs on our warriors that were stopped, from Babas Nat Turner and Gabriel 2 Chairman Fred Hampton and the esteemed Brother Malcolm. We’re taught defeat and that it was through the efforts of non-violent protestors that concessions have been won in the U.S. but it’s just not true. Not fully. It is and always has been the threat &/or examples of our physical prowess, courage, organization and action that has forced the U.S. government 2 relent N those spaces that they have. That goes 4 our participation in the Civil War to the self-help programs of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense.

And that is what we must teach. Extol our triumphs everyday so that we will know them as well as we know our defeats. The Haitian Revolution, from both a physical and spiritual angle, should be common knowledge and daily inspiration 2 us all as we move 4ward. The very public assassinations of our shining leaders like Brother Malcolm, Chairman Fred and Ken Bridges R no different than what is outlined in the Willie Lynch letter on how 2 control a slave plantation. The murders and brutality of brown-skinned women and men across social network sites damn near daily R the same as the 1000’s of lynchings recorded on postcards in the early 1900s. Compare the division that propagandized labeling had on our ancestors (Indian, slave, negro, freedman) 2 how it works 2day (African-American, Latino, lightskin, darkskin, feminist, rich, poor etc…). Look at the effect that these things have on the spirit of the people and then recognize WHY many of us falsely believe that our forefathers and mothers were a passive people.

We have fought, often successfully, against the infection of pink pathology/European domination/racism intellectually, spiritually and physically since they 1^st came out of Europe spreading that disease. We made many mistakes along the way. We underestimated the savagery of our enemy constantly. We falsely believed in their humanity but left enough of our story 4 us 2 learn from those mistakes and 2 correct our trajectory accordingly. We ARE our ancestors in every way. Energy cannot B created or destroyed. We R everything that ever was & will B and our ancestors ain’t never been no punks. Honor that.

Thanks 4 reading. Keep fighting.

Sincerely,

These Hands

Learn more Discopoetry here

Checkout our latest album, "The Revolution Has Been Compromised," here.

The Heat part 4of 4: The Responsibility

Fear is the greatest, most powerful weapon on this planet. While hate is often thought 2 B the opposite of Love, I believe it’s fear.  Hate is merely a symptom of fear.  Fear immobilizes people, nullifies their power, creates self doubt and empowers the thing that is feared. All the stories, however true or false they may B have simply been used 2 instill an overwhelming fear in the masses allowing that group of people 2 act with impunity across the planet.

 

Let’s say 4 the sake of argument that all the above stories R 100% true. What does it matter? They R still a small minority that rely on the compliance of an overwhelming majority 2 do the things they do.  Policemen who have 2 get side jobs 2 properly provide 4 their families, soldiers sent 2 war and come back 2 hardship, health issues and worry, civil rights leaders begging 4 a seat at “the table,” impoverished Caucasians whose only personal saving grace is that at least they ain’t “Black,” hardline Democrat and/or Republican voters, workers and supporters who believe wholeheartedly that “their” party can make it better, etc…  R all tools of that minority. All of them R exploited daily 2 keep the money rolling N 4 that minority and all of them R carefully taught by others like them not 2 C their exploitation or not 2 care out of fear, duty, paternalism or responsibility 2 support their families. 

I get it. U’re scared. It can B scary. We’ve seen the vocal get picked off, blacklisted and/or have their names defamed and discredited 2 cast just enough reasonable doubt upon that individual 2 have any of their claims ignored. But that fear comes when U R looking at U and not us. “Us” is a powerful, resourceful being. “Us” cannot not B stopped because 1 part of us was removed. “Us” is smarter, bigger and stronger than any 1 of “U.”   Instruments of fear like race, religion, financial/class status, even geographical loyalties have been brilliantly used 2 sow seeds of fear between “Us” 2 keep us divided, distracted and not looking at “them.” “They” may not even like each other but they know 2 work as 1. 

So I blame U. I’m not that smart and I can C it clearly.  I blame U, that majority, that "other 98%" who allows this curious minority 2 run freely destroying everything in its path in pursuit of “shiny things” like any common rodent. I blame U 4 allowing such small things 2 keep us apart when it benefits us in untold ways 2 work 2gether. I blame U 4 every genocide now happening in both Africa and the Americas, 4 allowing careless corporations 2 poison U through your food, 4 becoming dependant on them N the 1^st place 2 eat, 4 allowing hunger when there is farmable land in a 4 block radius of where U stand right now;4 allowing "them" 2 make the water undrinkable, the air unbreathable, and your land unaffordable; 4 allowing people 2 live on the street when there R reported 22 homes 4 each homeless person N America, 4 choosing 2 B distracted from these issues by brainless entertainment designed specifically 4 that reason.  I blame the over seven billion people on this planet predominately of color and similar descent 4 allowing this 1 minority faction of 1minority people 2 run this rampant, destroying in a couple of centuries what U kept in harmony 4 100’s of thousands of years.  I’m a believer that we here as the keepers of this living Earth and in absence of our job performance the Earth will naturally make her own adjustments and it ain't gonna B nice 4 Us when She does.  The solutions R easy. U make this stuff hard. Yeah, it’s hot but it’s gonna get a whole lot hotter if WE don’t get back on our task.  Peace and harmony ya’ll.

 

Chairman Fred Hampton

Thanks 4 reading. 

Fini?

The Heat part 3 of 4: Know Your Enemy

As an artist working on my rise and acceptance N2 the masses of minds, ears and eyes of this world, even being the eternally energetic and joyous individual that I am, I do have bouts of doubt and frustration.  I’ve been at this thing a looooong time and it’s my intention 2 just “B” there right now; not still grinding from where I am and I get N2 spaces where I feel like ain’t nobody listening 4 me anyhow.  The irony is that I don’t expect that this entry will endear me any further 2 the industry or many fans.  I can’t B worried about that with this one, however. There R larger issues that, 4 me, R a bit more important than my artistic endeavors and having U all buy my album.

In the last post, we started off discussing the heat beating down on the country at present.  I addressed Chicago specifically but any look at any weather report shows that it’s been a nationwide thing.  I get it.  It’s hot. Hotter than it “naturally” should B. And U know what?  It’s your fault which is Y I’m irritated every time I hear U complain about how hot it is.  Largely this is directed at people of color but from a broader perspective this is 4 people regardless of anything as basic as skin tone.  Let’s look at it from the perspective of “the other 98%”

I did a little fact checking.  Dug N2 reports by Hoerling of the Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric  Administration, charts and explanations by The National Climatic Data Center who state that the chances of the heatwave being purely a natural event is 1 in 1,594,323. I even checked those who disputed that figure saying that from a statistical view it’s probably more likely 1 in 100,000 as if that makes such a major difference N the bottom line. Whatever the exact truth is, it is more than true that due 2 the negligent and irresponsible actions of one faction of a global minority in their pursuit 2 monopolize and control the resources, wealth and people of the planet without regard 2 the methods they have caused considerable damage 2 a planet that must work in balance 2 preserve itself. In maintaining that balance all type of weather related anomalies adverse to the lives of human beings may happen and YES, I blame that steadfastly on the 98%.

This is not racial. Race, if U haven’t figured out by now, is some made-up bull, largely explored and quantified by the Swede Carl Linnaeus in 1735, used 2 divide and conquer people irrespective of their nationality. I’m real clear that the world and the U.S. in particular have not moved on or healed from this affliction contrary 2 all claims of “Post Race.” If anything the disease has grown worse.  However, it is that small faction within those claiming “whiteness” that has done more 2 destroy living conditions on this planet than any one people N recorded history.  At this juncture of my life I have 2 recognize that not all Caucasians R the same just as all African descendants R not.  While there R more similarities than there R differences there R distinct differences in peoples and not all of them R worthy of celebration.

Though I am unquestionably of African or what is known as Asiatic descent I rebuke any national or biological association to those people who have and R inflicting inhumanly savage genocides like those in the Congo, duped like brainless cattle by European and American instigators 2 murder in massive numbers 4 the overwhelming benefit of those EuroAmerican corporations. That is not N the spirit of my people. Those same cruel yet ignorant lackeys found in puppet positions of power across Africa can B found N low income hoods across America on street corners, in pulpits and at liquor stores robbing and dealing death 2 those who resemble themselves here.  I submit, that MY people R no more like them than a cougar 2 a lion. I then must conclude that some of these Caucasians resemble only N pinkish skin.

 

There is a variant of Caucasian that have connived 2 pit nations of people against one another while they ride N on the backs of another sycophantic, underling, sheep-like people of varying ethnicities (the, "I'm just following orders/doing my job" people) and collect the indigenous wealth. Those aberrant variants R greedy, insatiable, violent and vicious. Their power has been attributed with characteristics similar 2 the Boogie-man. They R said 2 worship demons, draw on devilish powers, commit human sacrifices, band 2gether in centuries old secret societies, control this and that, hide and implement alien technology, prepare secret underground dwelling 2 live N as they destroy 2/3 of the people on the surface, etc…  All these phantom-like attributes that have become the distracting sustenance 4 conspiracy theorists the world over and a source of fear 2 the general populace. 

The conclusion 2 follow...