Everyday They Hustlin'

  "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to disturb you.... I'm on this train selling candy... not for no baaasketball team, just to keep some money in my pocket. Each candy is a dollar......"

  "Newports... $5 .... Newports $5....."
 
  " I got all the new releases y'all.... right here.. five dollars.. "
  
   "I got those warm ladies gloves... twenty dollars ma.. right here"

             These chants have become well known in our lives in New York City; the sound of the ever revolving world of street hustling. Much to the dismay of many, the large population of street hustlers are African American men.  These men go through great lengths to keep a dollar in their pockets.  Some have inside connections to friends or family that work in big named retailers, such as Macy's, and get stolen merchandise to sell on the streets for below retail price for an astounding profit.  Many receive their merchandise from the local BJ's or Costco and sell the wholesale quantity for individual profits.  There are even those that will get their merchandise from another state for dirt cheap to sell at a price for a profit.
   Is this what the state of our African American males have come to??

   Here are a couple of scenarios to consider:

     I was astounded one afternoon, while on the train coming home from school, when a young man got on the train selling candy.  He proceeded to give his usual pitch of how he's selling the candy "not for no basketball team, but to keep money in my pocket.. and keep me out of trouble."  The young man looked to be about sixteen or seventeen with his pants in the fashion crazed "sagging".  As he walked amongst the crowd on the train, many people turned their heads in disgust while one or two people actually purchased candy from the young man.  As he passed, I began to wonder who he was working for; was it some head honcho that collected the money from these boys and gave them a percentage, or did they do this on their own in a desperate attempt to do for themselves financially.  When I asked the question to a fellow college classmate that was on the train with me, a gentleman proceeded to tell me that many times the parents purchase the candy and allow the children to sell the candy on the trains.  The father then explained to me that  his child does this also, but he is present when he does because he was robbed twice. He proceeded to state that he goes to Cotsco to purchase the boxes of candy, which usually come assorted, and gives them to his son.  His son then goes out and sells the candy for a dollar a piece, usually earning about twenty dollars per box.  His son has to give his father back the money that was spent on the candy and he keeps the profit.  What disturbed me the most is that the father seemed proud of his son's "accomplishments" by stating that at least his son "isn't selling drugs or getting into trouble."

     An African -American male, about in his late thirties, enters the local Check Cashing place in Brownsville, Brooklyn. He has a carry-on luggage bag filled with paraphernalia.  He pulls out five DVD's, three of the movies were still playing in the theater at the time... and most disturbing, one was a Tyler Perry movie.  He walks up and down the aisles showing the merchandise to the waiting customers on the line.  He begins to announce the names of the movies that he currently has in his inventory.  The customers on the line begin to throw movie titles at him in hope that he would have it on hand for purchase.  The man then stands off to the side as person after person file toward him and make a purchase of several DVDs at one time.  The man then walks out of the Check Cashing place happy as he makes his way towards his next hustling destination.

    After being severely beaten in jail, a man, about in his late forties, gets dressed every single day.  One would think that he's going to a rehabilitation clinic to try to regain some feeling in his legs and hands.  Instead, his location is in front of the local bodega to sell cigarettes from cartons that he purchases from the barber shop around the corner.  He sits there everyday and all day talking about nothing and drinking with the local drunks that also have taken residence in front of the store.  Most of his conversation is complaints, about this and that that he has experienced in his life. When asked about taking charge and doing something about it, his response is simply "I can't do anything or go anywhere..these streets are all I have left."

     I would like for our local, state, and national politicians and community leaders of African American descent to take a good look at the three scenarios presented.  Our African American men feel as though they are "damaged goods" because they have been incarcerated, been on drugs, or simply don't have the education that's required to obtain steady employment.  What happened to the African proverb that states that we should "honor the Kings that walk this Earth"? Why are we letting them disintegrate into nothing while our white counterparts move forward and ahead conquering everything in their path?  Are we not worthy to obtain the riches and glory that WE originated in this land?  I find it terribly disgusting to hear an African American man declare himself "damaged" and "unable to go anywhere".  That states to me that the confidence level is not there to begin with and the actions therefore followed.
    It's absolutely important that our current society instill the values necessary to uplift our African Kings that walk this Earth.  Our ancestors would be very angry and frustrated to see the state of our African American men today.  All of the blood, sweat, and tears that were shed during slavery, the segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Farmers Movement and the signing of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, have gone in vein because today's African American man have let the spirit die!  We are currently facing a severe "divide and conquer " crisis that is gripping our neighborhoods left and right.
     The only solution to this crisis is education. Our African American males need to be educated as to what is happening in today's world and stay one step ahead. Our African American males need to take accountability for their actions and stop blaming the "white man" for every negative thing that has happened to them.  Our African American males need to stop being afraid of failure and push forward in their dreams and desires to make them a better success.  Our African American males need to be better role models for their communities, their families and themselves.
   It starts with one man.... then the dominoes can fall accordingly.
  

Soul Train Music Awards 2010

   Last week, the Soul Train Music Awards were held and given out in its usual fashion.  I watched the awards show and was quite pleased overall.  The award show had lost some of its class over the past few years and it was quite nice to see it return to those roots. 
Performances of the evening:
    R. Kelly opened the show with a 60's inspired version of his hit single "When A Woman Loves" (my new favorite song!). In his usually fashion, R. Kelly put on a dynamic performance that had all the qualities of a true entertainer. A well-deserved tribute to the icon Ms. Anita Baker was very well put together and heartfelt in its nature.  The performers that honored her were Chrisette Michelle, Faith Evans. Tamia (who wore a very strange looking Hefty bag as a dress...smh), Kem and Goapele along with Ne-Yo and Lalah Hathaway with Dionne Farris.  Eric Benet also added his own twist to the tribute, (which may have included him "crying" his heart out to his former beau Halle Berry).  El Debarge made a triumphant return to the stage after battling years of drug and alcohol abuse.  I am pleased to report that his voice was not lost AT ALL!!! Well done El!!!! (BTW... pick up his new album!!!!!)
    Erykah Badu didn't cease to amaze.... and confuse.. the crowd with her performance.  She wore attire that was rather strange to the naked eye, but as I'm just about sure, Ms. Badu was making a political and social statement.  Her sound was the same familiar sound that we are all used to in her prior albums.  Glad to see that she's still on top of her game. 
    Gyptian's performance was cut short!!! I am angered and apalled that he is suffering the consequences of a stereotyped genre of music! It was an unfair and unjust action by the members of the Soul Train staff!  I have already emailed them expressing my concerns... And now .. we move on...
     C-Lo Green, formerly of Gnarls Barkley, also performed looking like one of William Shatner's green bitches that have revealed herself as really being a man. The song was excellent, the girl.. errrr uhhh... man can perform her... uhh .. his ass off but it's gonna take some pupil adjustments to look at him perform.
    Jazzmine Sullivan sounded like she could bust some windows out of her car... with her voice!
    THANK GOD FOR DOUG E. FRESH!!!!
     Bruno Mars needs to come back down to Earth!!!... SMH
    Another icon was also honored.... Ronald Isley of the Isley Brothers.  I have to admit, he's one of my favorite singers of all time, so it was a thrill to see him honored for all of the hard work that he has done. The performers that honored him were Tank, who looks like he got hit by one, El Debarge, Eric Benet (SMMFH.. he just needs to stop), Jefferey Osborne, Peabo Bryson (who probably got a day pass from the nursing home to be there), and Freddy Jackson (who looks like he went TOO far back in his roots to the days where slaves were starved on purpose!).  All gave worthy performances to the great Ron Isley, however, my personal favorite was seeing C-Lo Green and Ron Isley doing "Shout"... was it me.. or did they look TOO comfortable singing to...errrr uhhh... with each other. ....And who was that "child" with Ron that was claiming herself to be his wife... he need to stop! That should be his GRANDchild with him... anywaysss...
   Terrence Howard and Teraji P. Henson have once again spoiled my taste buds towards being in a relationship.  Watching those two on stage swooning all over each other was sickening!  There were a few comical, not funny, moments like the impersonation of Don Cornelius at the Soul Train Scramble Board... that was classic and the young man was great!!!!! I just wished that Soul Train would find new hosts for things like this.
     There were a few other people there as well that are worth noting.....
Keisha Knight-Pulliam and Raven-Symone - These two girls have grown to be beautiful women.  It's amazing that they virtually grew up on television and still remained grounded.

Kim Fields - WHAT THE HELL WAS SHE WEARING??? She look like she tried out for "The Lion King" and got rejected HARD......

Wolf Blitzer doing the Dougie!!!!! He's so cute I can't stand it!!!!

Biz Markie hadn't learned to pick his lip up off the ground.. YET!!! SMMFH!


    I hope that Soul Train continues to improve and keep up with current musical trends while maintaining the preservation of the elder music.  We all need the connection to keep us whole and being whole is what will make us one!

Until the next awards... I wish you love, peace, and.... SOUL!!!!

The Black eye in New York City's Education

Good job New York City!
    Cathy Black was granted the waiver needed in order to become New York City's first female School's Chancellor DESPITE the fact that she does not have any educational experience and DESPITE her appointment of a more qualified candidate as Deputy Chancellor.  Ahhh.... the magic of the golden knee pads!
    There were numerous protests in opposition of Ms. Black getting the waiver needed for the position of Chancellor.  Correction.... there were numerous SMALL protests in opposition to the waiver being granted.  What was needed was a mass protest involving all parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders, and anyone and everyone that has a passion or love for the educational system.  New York City should have been shut down completely!  Instead, the small protests went unheard and the waiver was granted. 
    This illustrates my point... parents and community leaders need to become more involved in our educational system as a whole.  Public schools and charter schools that are Department of Education chartered need to pay close attention to the transition that is about to take place the next coming school year.  Many of our schools, particularly in the underprivileged communities, are falling victim to the rising standards and the lack of resources that are keeping our American children far below par in comparison to those in other thriving countries.  Our parents, community leaders, and those in the educational sector must step up and take the extra steps in order to keep our children in this educational game of "cat and mouse".  Our parents need to be a teacher at home.  The education that a parent can teach a child goes far beyond that learned in any classroom in any educational establishment.  Our community leaders  need to pressure city governments to not use our children as pawns in this politics vs. education chess game and ensure that everything possible is done to keep our schools open.  Mentors and other members of the educational sector should open themselves, along with their experience and knowledge, to offer assistance to those youth that are having difficulties in certain subjects and educational topics. Our communities must do more to get more.
    This is going to be the biggest test for the upcoming Mayoral election.  Our voices can be heard loud and strong by opposing any candidate that is in favor of Mayoral controlled schools.  The power of the vote isn't illustrated strong enough or used very often, but if this new candidate does not perform to her fullest intent, then the power and voice of the vote will receive a new wind... raising higher than any flags can fly.

It takes a Public village to raise a child

       In recent months and years, there has been a lot of chatter concerning the state of our educational system today.  Since the introduction of charter schools to the New York City educational system, there has been an ongoing debate as to whether or not charter schools are better for our children than public schools.  While parents and community leaders are entangled in this debate, more and more public schools wind up on the chopping block allowing charter schools to infiltrate and take over the vacant spaces left behind.  I can remember a time in which a child's education was a collaborative effort.  The teachers worked with the parents to ensure that their children got the best quality education.  Times have definitely changed. There is a new separation in order, and it's becoming a cancer in our educational system.  The separation: money vs. quality. 

    Many of our charter schools are privately funded.  This means more opportunity, more programs and more educational resources than that of the public schools.  Sounds good, right? Here's the monkey wrench: Your child has to be accepted via lottery.  That means a "random drawing" exists to choose which student attends which school.  Any child not accepted to a school must register their child to their local public school, if there is one to register to.  There are five charter schools appearing to every one public school that closes. The gut-wrenching fact is that most of the public schools that are being closed are in the minority communities.  Why is that??... because the collaborative effort to educate our children has dissolved and disappeared. 

    In order for our public schools to prosper, parents must get involved in any way possible.  Getting involved means more than being at the school volunteering or joining a PTA, it means getting your children up on time to go to school;making sure that they have the tools needed to have a successful day;checking homework and classwork and ensuring that it's complete;sitting down with your children and discussing the days events and keeping on top of  your child's progress; attending open school nights and meetings, even to the point of making random visits to your child's teacher to check on his/her progress; keeping on top of the teachers and administration to ensure that the safety and well being of your child's education  is not being compromised; and most importantly making your voice heard at all costs.  By keeping a constant presence in the schools, there can be no excuse for a child's failure.  The more children succeed, the less chance of school closures and charter school invasion in our communities.   

   Not only do we need our parents to be a constant force, but we need our community leaders involved with the effort to keep public schools open in our communities.  Our Councilmen, Assemblymen, and Congresspersons need to get heavily involved in maintaining free and unbiased access to education for our next generation.  By uniting with the parents of the community, it can happen and make a strong difference in the progression of our youth.                                                                

    I am not against charter schools at all.  I am against, however, the sudden invasion that has taken place in our impoverished communities.  Public schools have been a way of educational life for many years.  If the lack of community involvement continues, there will be an overwhelming stronghold in the education system that will not be able to be reversed.  I am charging parents, educators, and politicians of our impoverished communities to band together to give our children a chance at success.  The wealthier communities could care less if our children are educated or not. Fear is not stricken with violence, the strongest fear is stricken with intelligence!