Let’s make sure we “Make them Famous”. Then, let’s make them obsolete.
I woke up this morning, hoping it was all a bad dream. I was scared to turn on the news because I didn’t want to see a tribute that reminded me, Michael Jackson is dead at he age of 50. Damn!
First, send a prayer out to Michael Jackson’s family, friends, and fans. Now, for my personal tribute.
My favorite Michael Jackson song is, “Man in the Mirror”. “If you want to make the world a better place, take a lookat yourself and make that change.”
Don’t get me wrong, I know all the moves to “Thriller”, I remember singing “Bad” on a record player, “Billie Jean” got me in trouble with my mother, and “Smooth Criminal” was my ‘ish’, but Man in the Mirror has been the one song that always stuck with me. When I was doing stuff I had no business, when I was struggling with my illness, and when I eventually decided it was time to make my voice heard, Michael Jackson was never that far away.
Michael Jackson was a true inspiration, no matter the controversy that surrounded him. He made the world sing together, smile together, and hope together and all he asked in return, that we look in the Mirror and realize we all have the power to make change. In tribute to Michael Jackson, I would like to thank the people that have helped me realize this about myself. We never know how long we are going to be here, so always show appreciation for the people that influence and inspire.
Hip Hop Republicans- Finding a place of acceptance is a difficult task for some, for me especially. I refuse change the way I write or speak, I don’t sugar coat or look for political correctness, basically I don’t fit the mold of the average “Republican”. Yet, they promote both my blog and my radio show. They offer me assistance, advice, and inspiration, with no censorship or maybe you should try it this way. They step back, let me make my mistakes, and support me regardless. That’s the side of the Republican Party we need to share with the rest of the country. Thank You Hip Hop Republican.
Lenny McAllister- I am an official “Lenny should run for office” stalker. I could list his accomplishments but I’d be here all day. To me, he has become a sounding board, a voice of reason, and a “I’ve been where you’re at” perspective. He is always willing to share inspirational words and has exceptional point of views on a varitey of different subjects. Thank You Lenny, for listening on the days I don’t know which way is up.
Nadra Enzi A.K.A. Capt. Black- Have you ever met a man that made you want to become a Super Hero? If not, then you need to meet Nadra. While urban communities focus on what the government is not doing, Nadra focuses on how the urban community is failing itself. With the invent of “Al Thugga”, the name given to the street thugs that run American inner cities, he is shining a light on the destructive forces we give sanctuary. Thank you Nadra, for believing we have the right to walk the streets in our own neighborhoods with out feeling afraid.
Rev. Isaac Hayes- Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Every once in while, you get a reality check on this statement. Rev. Hayes was my reality check. Check out the musician, DWELLA, and see if you can make the connection. Seriously, check it out. Thank you Rev. Hayes, for giving me confidence that God uses all instruments to send down his word.
Dr. Timothy Johnson- Usually, when people get into positions of power, they forget about the little people. The new VP of the NCGOP, definetly has a lot on his plate. Yet, he took the time to conversate with me on conservative principles and sharpen my ability to fight against Liberal propaganda. But the most inspiring thing about Dr. Johnson, his ability to forgive, both himself and others. No man is without sin but it takes a real man to step up, admit thier faults, ask God for forgiveness, and leave it with the Lord. Thank you Dr. Johnson, for showing me making up for mistakes of the past is one thing, basing your life around them is another.
Andrew Simon- My competitor, LOL. Andrew visited the show this week and indulged me in a little talk about Hip Hop. We took the easy way out because we have some major disagreements about Health care. Regardless, I had an empty slot on my show and he volunteered to step in. Thank you Andrew, for giving me conversations to look forward too.
To all listeners, callers, and critics, I say thank you. Just showing up to hear my annoying voice is enough for me. You are all appreciated.
In looking at my true reflection in the Mirror, there is one more person I have to thank.
Specta- My confidence giver, my idea accelerator, and my first inspiration to do more than just blog. Things happen for a reason and your arrival in my life, truly played it’s part. Thank You for continuing to support me, even froma distance.
If you’re wondering how all this ties into the Death of an Icon, remember, Michael Jackson inspired people. He inspired me and I appreciate his inspiration. And though he knew we loved his music, dance, and creativity, I wonder if he knew how much we appreciated the lessons learned from that music, dance, and creativity. Last night, my daughter watched “Thriller” for the first time. As I watched her imitate the same moves I once spent hours perfecting, it hit me, if we don’t share the lessons of those that inspire us, there will always remain only one reflection in the Mirror. Michael Jackson deserves more.
Maybe when this sinks in, I’ll have something to say. Maybe when I can say it out loud, I’ll believe it’s true. Until then, this is how I will remember Michael Jackson…….
Times are hard in Detroit. With the restructuring, lay-offs, and over all economic turmoil, employment opportunities are far and few between. Not just for the industry workers, also the professionals that provide services to those workers. Doctor’s, laywer’s and insurance adjusters, amongst others, all suffer when one industry fails. The state and local governments suffer loss revenue due to loss wage, social programs lose funding due to budget cuts, but more importantly, the state loses knowledgeable and skilled workers and professionals. Those with valuable skills will seek employment in another town or another state.
Take that philosophy global. Iraq and Iran are neighbors. They have shared peaceful times and times of war. Iran remembers a time when they could look down upon the people of Iraq. Though neither could claim complete freedom, Iranians chose their government. Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq with an iron fist.
With the assistance of hundreds of thousands of brave AMERICANS, the picture of these two countries has changed dramatically. Now, every Iraqi is free to vote or run for office, without closed door approval or fear of death. Iraqi women can vote, hold office, become a doctor, teacher, or any other occupation that will provide non suicidal dreams for her children. Iraqi sports teams can back the candidates of their choosing without losing the right to represent their country.
And Iranians are taking notice. If you think they can twitter and facebook with guns in their faces and not be abreast of the current conditions in Iraq, you are truly underestimating the savvy of the Iranian people. I believe, they truly believe, America is responsible for a lot of the problems in the Middle East. I also believe they understand and yearn for freedom, that brings true cultural diversity, exchange of ideas, and potential for economic growth. They don’t want to choose total westernization but they do want to feel like their government is paying attention to their wants and needs.
So, if they can’t get that freedom and chance for a brighter future from their government, they will seek it elsewhere. Giving respect to the Iranian peoples’ pride of country, they won’t move willingly. It will be a necessity. As economic numbers and advancement improve in Iraq, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is an influx of Iranians into the country. Not to become citizens but to get a real sense of what it’s like to be able to assemble peacefully and not have bullets flying towards you.
This is a double edged sword to the people of the Middle East. They are beginning to see a Muslim framed democracy take hold and they see an opportunity to follow suit. They also see the price of Democracy and Freedom. They know the number of American lives, Iraqi lives, and now Iranian lives that continue to add up in the cost of liberty.
No dictator or group of dictators (the Sheiks and Ayatollahs) will ever give up power willingly. In my opinion, this is why Obama won’t come out stronger against the Iranian government. This administration is all smoke and mirrors. When President Obama says, “He doesn’t want to meddle”, I think he’s praying this thing goes away quickly and quietly. Twitter explodes and now he is faced with a dilema. How can you condemn the concentration of power and inclusiveness in Iran, at the same time the American government is concentrating power and authority.
This is not a human rights problem. This is a “people who stand for liberty and justice, in remembrance to all those who died for those principles” problem. This is not an American fight. This is a ” worldwide recognition of an individuals right to fight” fight. This is not an Iranian issue. This is a “reason to get Acorn active and in the street” issue.
You would think the former community organizer and champion for the little people would understand that. No corporate interest or ideological mandates should cause you to lower your voice. No C.E.O. or Board of Directors should make you hold your tongue. No oppressive force should hold you back from saying what needs to be said or doing what needs to be done.
These days President Obama spends more time with C.E.O.’s and Boards of Directors’ than he does with the little guy that got fired from a GM dealership. He spends more time making corporate decisions behind closed doors, than he does answering criticism from the American people. Today, he spends more time waiting for a reaction from the Iranian hierarchy than he spends championing the “community organizers” in Iran willing to die to be heard.
That’s a change I didn’t see coming. Is that why he wanted the Iraq War to fail? To see it succeed would calm the hate talk from the people at the bottom towards the United States and in effect curb our own criticism of the freedom and justice we hold in our boarders. Would the American people look at Iraqi citizens and the individual power they now hold and be jealous, just as the Iranians now are? Or was he scared that the people of the region would step up and fight for freedom, no matter the cost in blood, and he would have to lose popularity with the people on top, to support the people on bottom.
1992, I was spending summer vacation with my cousin in the heart of Richmond, Va. Normally, I was restricted to listening to gospel music and oldies. Now I had a little freedom to sample Hip Hop. It was Mary J. Blige, Real Love. I was “Hypnotized”.
2001, I wanted to look beautiful for my birthday, so I scheduled an appointment to get my hair braided. I got up early to go to the hair shop and made my way to the African Braiding Salon. I was early, so I ventured home to pack a lunch for my hubby to go to work. I got home just in time to see the first plane hit the first Tower. Thinking it was an accident, I left to make my appointment. I made it to the shop just in time to hear about the plane crashing into the Pentagon.
Everyone in the shop joined hands and prayed. We prayed for the people on the plane, we prayed for the people in the Twin Towers, we prayed for the rescue worker and everyday hero, we prayed for every family member affected. Then, then we prayed for the terrorist and their supporters. We prayed God would soften their heart. Last, we prayed for President George Bush. We prayed that God would grant him the strength to protect this nation in the days ahead.
12 hours later, I rode home listening to Jill Scott’s, A Long Walk, trying to gather my thoughts. I always believed in God but I wasn’t at the point in my faith where I would pray for the very men that caused massive destruction to my fellow countrymen. I wasn’t at the point of political maturity where I thought George Bush was that important. All I knew was Jill Scott’s melodic voice made me………..WAKE UP!
The intent of my trip down memory lane was not to invoke memories of that day. It was to express the power of Hip Hop. Since I heard my first Hip Hop song, I’ve used the music as a coping mechanism. When I was sad, happy, lonely, amongst friends, busy, chillin, and all the gray areas in between; Hip Hop was there.
Fast Forward
Whydidyousaythatgirl.com-> The Blog WHWDRadio -> The Show WHWDRadio-> The Forum
All dedicated to my two greatest loves, Hip Hop and Future of the United States of America. And YES! I did a shameless plug of everything I got going. You know why? I believe in Capitalism, the Free Market, and an individuals’ right to choose their own destiny. If you find that thing that ignites your passion, work for it and you can get the American Dream. I plug myself every chance I get, did I mention…….
Hip Hop combines two of my favorite political platforms, Capitalism and Free Speech. The former provides the strength and power to protect the latter. The more capital raised by the Hip Hop industry, the less politicians are willing to attack it. As artist, consumers, promoters, and fans we have given Hip Hop power in the political arena. Democrats have taken full advantage of this new source of power. Where are the Republicans?
After President Obama’s history making election, the central focus was the new technology. All the social networking sites, iphones, and laptop computers created massive grassroots efforts. How? Did the phones hit their owners upside the head and tell them to vote for Obama? Did the social networking sites deny access to those with opposing veiw points? Did the laptop computers instantly send Republican outreach to the spam box?
NO! It wasn’t the hardware, the software, or phantoms whisping through. It was the people on the outgoing end of the tweets, myspace bulletins, and facebook posts. Ludacris, Common, Jay-Z, Puffy, and the list goes on and on and on. Obama wasn’t afraid to be photographed with the artist, even though they cussed, wrote lyrics involving gun violence, or showed misogynistic tendencies. He knew no one follows Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, or Rahm Emanual on twitter. The core Hip Hop base are the people that can sell out packed arenas and go platinum in a day.
Ironically, these are the same people who show the rest of us that Capitalism works. Each taking one step, then another, unwilling to stop, uninhibited by haters or road blocks, and unafraid to risk everything betting of themselves. Each a true and shining example of the American Dream, no matter what you think about the art form that got them to that status.
Imagine this. You gather the aforementioned stars like Obama gathered the execs at Chrysler. You inform them, the rappers on myspace aren’t making the same amount of money as they are, so they need to sign every thing over so it can be redistributed. Could you picture Puffy video blogging about that conversation under a sheet with a flashlight, like he mocked Sarah Palin? Or do you think he would have his legal department trying to figure out a way to stop the government or get his money some where it can’t be touched.
Or try this one. The state in forms Jay-Z, New York no longer allows any weapons in the home or on your person. It doesn’t matter you were never convicted of a felony. It doesn’t matter your weapon is registered and you have a license to carry. It doesn’t matter that you are a Billioniaire, with a face every body knows, and a bullseye on your back, your bodyguards aren’t even allowed to bare arms. How long do you think Jay would remain a New York Resident? Everyone wants to blame the government for T.I.’s conviction, not realizing Democrats push for the laws that make it difficult or impossible for reformed felons to protect themselves and their families.
But we never have these conversations with the movers and shakers in the Hip Hop community. They present themselves, back a candidate, and never have to answer a policy question and those of us who don’t pay attention, assume they know what they are talking about. As their popularity grows, so do the numbers of youth in the Democratic Party.
And how do we combat this? Conquer the hardware? Throw bugs in the software? Or truly become inclusive and let the Hip Hop Community into the Republican Party. This doesn’t mean just the generation who grew up in Hip Hop and graduated to something more. This also includes the generation that grew up in Hip Hip, graduated to something more, and decided to take Hip Hop with them. The Hip Hop fans that can look past graphic language to see true lyrical talent. The encouraged entrepreneur who listened to Fifty’s, “If I can’t do it, homey it can’t be done” right before he closed a multi-million dollar deal. The conservative sister that finds laughter and ridicule when she stands and says, “Better recognize a real woman”.
These are the people who don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Bill O’Reily, or any other conservative host. I know this because I don’t listen to any of the shows. I agree with most policy positions but they don’t capture and hold my attention. I don’t do Elvis and country music comparisons and I don’t appreciate Hip Hop only gaining notoriety when something goes wrong.
As a proud black Republican that carries Hip Hop like my weapon of choice, where do I fit in? If I want to play Hip Hop music on my radio show, do I have to buy the clean version from Wal-mart? Which would go against every principle of free speech and censorship I have? Or do I participate in the Capitalistic system I praise so much?
Believe me, this is not something I just came up with. Since the beginning to WHWDRadio, I’ve made every attempt to reach out to politicians and artist alike. While the politicians have been wonderful and gracious with their time, once I tell an artist my political affiliation, the interview never happens. I inform them that the segment will have nothing to do with politics, just music and they still refuse. Yet, they continue to send their new material and ask my opinion. The true entrepreneurs who look at any audience as a chance to get a couple fans question if they have to change their lyrics to accommodate my audience.
Is my audience really that different than any other audience willing to listen to a fellow Americans perspective of life? If it is, then the Republican Party has no chance to win the minority vote. They are willing to listen, if we are willing to respect the power they hold. This means excepting their form of expression and means of communication. Social Networking means nothing if you can’t reach the people in the society.