Change Goin’ Come! Stage 5 (The Push vs. The Pull)

“…Whose Ass I Gotta Kick” -President Barack Obama

The best job you can do is to not be held responsible and/or accountable for anything. Being the leader or the point person in any form of organizational structure will always gain you praise, as well as, hate. The easiest thing to do is criticize the job of another person. Everyone assumes to know what’s best when they don’t have the real consequence of dealing with the aftermath of those real decisions.

Many believe they would do a better job than president Obama is doing, not taking into consideration the state he was handed the union. Sure there were things promised not done yet but the political red tape of the real world slows any process down. Something as simple as renaming a street goes through many levels of legislation, so why isn’t this expected for the decisions & plans the president has planned? There are countless meetings just to talk about the meeting coming up. We are all familiar with the hood term “politics” and we all knows that it means a process we can’t control, so why are we lost, confused and for some, upset with the job being done?

For everything good he does he’s criticized for ten things wrong. Some out of his control, most take time & others not fast enough, yet people want immediate improvement. The U.S.A has been in trouble for some time. There are many things set in place to avoid problems but those things have been crumbling for years. Reaganomics, which  happened DECADES ago, is the actual cause of the state we are in. That was the start of the end. So before you criticize things you don’t understand do your research and learn our history. The current Prez is actually responsible for fixing problems that failed 30 years ago & it will take long after he’s served & gone for our problems to be fixed.

Land of the free home of the “know it alls” this is America.

By K.E.L.L.s

Change Goin’ Come! Stage 4 (Eight Years Behind A Four Year Fresh Start)

”George Bush Had Eight Years To Rip Apart The Country, President Obama Cannot and Will Not Fix It Four” -Kells

It clearly is easier to ruin something than fix it. Imagine starting a race in eighth place with a injury, the person in 1st is in top condition, it’s almost like racing against yourself. The more the current commander in chief repairs the more things there are to fix, it’s a failed system set in place by previous heads of government.

Regardless of how you feel about his progress or the things he has or hasn’t accomplished President Obama has done more in his few years than Bush did his whole term. We have a clear agenda of what’s to be done & presumption of how it will be done. Politicians have a tough job because an agenda must be laid out regardless of if it will get accomplished or not. Think about our own personal to do list that consist of minimal tasks that never get done, when we want it done, such as make doctor appointment, buy lotion, pick up cleaners, whatever daily errands we plan to cross off, now compare that to a countries to do list, fix economy, stop war, create jobs for 800,000 people! How will this be possible to do in the allotted time given to the Prez?

We all spend more time talking about what a person didn’t do rather than what they did. Obama cannot wake up, rub his head, drink a cup of OJ & say ok let me fix this shit. There is & will always be political red tape that prevents immediate actions. Congress, legislators & the house prevent dictatorships by a process many don’t understand. Pres Obama can only work as hard as the structure allows him.

Obama has made history not only by winning the election but also by many of the actions he stands behind, healthcare, the economy, the war are all things he stands firm in. Many of us get stressed & discouraged from our small task of responsibility now imagine running the U.S.A? Heavy Is The Head That Wears The Crown.

By K.E.L.L.s

Change Goin’ Come! Stage 3 (The Excitement of the youth)

Wasn’t it exciting? Hearing President Barack Obama speak, wasn’t it amazing to
see a man move so many people; young, old, black, white, gay, straight, gangsters and rednecks. Throughout the whole campaign, we have seen tears of joy, tears of shock & just plain ol’ “is this happening tears.” It is something to truly be proud of, this election has strengthened so many relationships and had us all talking with people we normally wouldn’t.

The youth showed the world that we do care about the issues, we do care about our future and maybe we can make a change. President Obama has done more than just win an election, he has united a “DIVIDED” states of America that we “call” united and for the next few years we shall look forward to many more historic moments and unforgettable speeches.

By K.E.L.L.s

Change Goin’ Come! Stage 2 (The Short Comings of a LONG Road Edition)

YAY, We got a Black President! …Now WHAT? One man can NOT make that “change” alone so why do some of us really believe and think that? Chants of Obama were heard on every hood corner but what can Obama truly do? Those colorful signs of the Next President with one word messages, “Hope” & “Change”, does what for the change of “us.” That message was to serve as a message to us as a whole, to change as well as the government and the way things happen.

Now that the election is over what do we do? Do we go back to leading the same lives? Or should we ALL get involved in the overall change needed to make this nation better. Many voted for Obama because he was black and it seemed like the right thing to do, some voted for him because of the media coverage others just simply did because everyone else was doing it. Truth be told Obama was the right choice not the default choice, he was a better candidate than the rest.

Being Black played a factor but he did not win on the black vote. The Black Vote ALONE cannot win you an election so when should the criticism stop? Over 40 years ago many fought, died and flat out BEGGED for an opportunity to vote, be involved and today we ignore those voices, our race has simply let others live our lives for us.

We always ask for change and would love for the blame to be someone else’s but what can we contribute to truly make things better?

By K.E.L.L.s

Change Goin’ Come! Stage 1 (The Get Involved Edition)

As We grow up in a system set up for us to fail we all were told the same thing “YOU CAN BE ANYTHING YOU WANT,” most Often told to us by an elderly white teacher just as a cute gem to drop to the kiddies and build hope, but on Tuesday November 4th, 2008 with the landslide victory of Barack Obama that saying now holds a new meaning, it creates more than hope and a cheerful chant of “yes we can,” it is as equally significant as that famous black and white video of a man rightfully named “KING” telling us about his dream.We now own a piece of history and when I say us I mean just that “US.” The power of not only the black race but minorities as a whole is truly amazing all it takes is one of us to “get” there and the floodgates are open, giving our people a sense of accomplishment and a “can-do” spirit.

November 4th has broken more historical silence than just electing the first black prez, we own history now, we came out in record numbers, young, old, rich and poor. We can truly now instill in our young generation that anything is possible…

Not saying every little ray-ray, lil’ roc, pookie and ‘dem can now become president but it now gives our young children a new dream of what “making” it is. When we were young success was defined as someone wit Tons of money and/or the illusion of it, usually a rapper or athlete. Our generation as well as the young now have someone who looks just as they do with the same color skin. We now have a new face of success in the least likely of places, yes I can, can now be followed by “yes I will.”

Politics rule the world; many never took interest in it, not out of ignorance but out of the cspan’s and cnn’s that would make any subject and/or topic sound boring as watching paint dry on a wall. Senator Obama changed the face of what success is as well as what being cool is. Cool, calm & collected at all times, never rising above his “inside” voice to get a point across, this is the role model we truly need.

Bobby Kennedy, in 1968, said in 40 years we will have a black president.” (Jewel Dropped). Being the first is spotlighting yourself with a sense of “super hero” pride and just as the plight of a super hero whom starts out human, still has human emotions and makes mistakes, it’s the cliché saying of “the gift and the curse.”

Senator Obama, soon President Obama, Can Not Fix our problems overnight, nor can he correct the wrongs of a failed government in one term. Our “Leaders” had an eight year head start on destroying the system. Yes we made history but for the next few years we need to keep this pro-Obama montage up and help a brother out. We can not afford to let ignorance take over this moment in history, many expect things to change instantly.

We “use” to ask for change, we got it and things still remained the same, what’s up wit’ that will become the moniker of many of our first time voters and coming directly from our race. Eighteen years ago David Dinkins became the first Afro-American to hold the office of mayor in NYC and just as obama his shadow was being “the first.” There is tremendous pressure; some people couldn’t organize their closet let alone the free world. So don’t expect one man to perform a magic trick and fix our problems instantly.

Obama WILL not fix the country over night, a mighty feat he won? YES, but he needs more than calendars hung and t-shirts worn to really reach a victory, many of us didn’t think our voice would be heard or vote would count but it was and it did.

We got the “change” now let’s make a change.

By K.E.L.L.s

They Didn’t Give Us 40 Acres &
A Mule so we’ll Take 50 States &
A White House! HOW COOOOL!

The Reality of A Real World (Too Real To Keep It Real)

The most prominent word in any hood is “real.” Some people entire existence is defined by the word or what they perceive as the definition of what “real” is. Aside from what’s “real” the word we often miss is “respect.” For “real” to work we must have respect. Without respect nothing you do will ever be real. People who live to portray what’s “real” usually really live horrible lives because they lack respect. Jails are filled with “real” individuals who really live that life and love to keep it “real.”

Most problems in the hood are a direct result from dudes wanting to show love and display how real they are. If a friend is killed, a dude will kill another out of “love” even If the family of the victim ask for “respect” to not take any vengeance. Love Is killing the hood, being real is fueling it and respect is neglected from it.

Many events in the hood are ruined because of “love” when we actually need to spread respect. Love Is what brings problems to our events respect should keep It away.

Keeping it real will always be a problem in our hoods, what most dudes don’t get is the real test of what’s real is longevity and what you can offer your community to help it beyond representing it.

Don’t overdose on the “REAL.”

By K.E.L.L.s

The Reality Of A Real World (40 years Past Speaking Up)

Why are you scared? What’s the point of having a voice if you don’t use it? 40 years ago being a leader and/or having a voice willing to speak up against B.S and ignorance meant something. Today we dismiss it and anyone who is outspoken. Many people can’t stand another who speaks what they feel; the idea of someone speaking their mind is too overwhelming for them to comprehend. We substitute real for the fake and we’re entertained by what we presume as real.

We live in a time of instant gratification and listening to the words of an ordinary person seems outrageous to some. “Come on wit’ that rev run shit” and/or positive thinking is what most say/hear everyday, then we turn around and praise Dr. King or Malcolm X? There are everyday people in each of our lives that need/deserve/have earned that respect of an ear to listen to him/her but reality of world is dismissive. We often choose contradictions to how we think. Most of the time we want positive thinkers but the idea of someone constantly being positive doesn’t seen genuine so we dismiss it.

Many people in our everyday circles are way more influential and forward thinking than you may know. Embrace It.

By K.E.L.L.s

The Reality of A Real World (Overwhelmed & The Pressure To Do Right)

Stress will make you lose sleep, feel unease and make you very anxious; the pressure of life and to do right is an added weight to your shoulders. What really matters in life? Is it money? Is it family? Whatever you want to get out of life you can get it. We can all easily go out into the world and make tons of money, but at what price? Your freedom? Your morals?

It’s easy for any of us to get up, get out and get something but what the fuck do we want? Life is scary, we have total control to do anything and regardless of the outcome we control our life. That’s a dangerous & scary notion because life has so many temptations the pressure is intense.

The road to the wrong path is always tempting, easy money and a fast profit is a very hard thing to turn down. To do right is to live right but at what point does living right become so overwhelming that doing wrong seems easier?

It’s a battle within you. Should I work hard now and benefit from it later? Or work hard later and not worry about it now? The statistics of life are real numbers and even with all the numbers, facts and examples we still make proven mistakes? People who are rich choose to work hard at some point in their life to achieve that wealth. We all got to grind at some point the question is when will you?

By K.E.L.L.s

The Reality Of A Real World (The Pressure Of A Black Male) [The Real Talk Edition]

“Be careful! Watch ya step. Move with caution. Watch those around you!”

Is life short? Whoever came up with that saying obviously didn’t have much going for themselves because life is long, it can easily become long and drawn out with the wrong decisions. The pressure to do right is not a part time thing is a full time job. Adding to that pressure is the task of being black man and/or minority. We have to work ten times as hard, most often, to get the same outcome of our racial counterparts.

A black man needs to support of his lady. We often play strong but the pressure to do right is intense and the support and encouragement is needed always. Most times were so preoccupied trying hard to not to do wrong that nothing seems right. We often see and hear many saying ‘products of my environment’ and the pressure to do right is hard when it seems no matter how much you try to change you will always remain the same.

Our community lacks positive influences and many times we forget that. We forget the lack of good role models & that need of an extra voice for granted. Your whole life can change in one second and as a man that is a hard pill to swallow. Rather than chop men down build us up. A man won’t tell you but he needs a woman that’s not only there for him but willing to understand what he’s going through.

Females charge everything to the individual rather than the pressure that man has. The spotlight is always on us to do right. Think logically about your man rather than figuratively. Most men are deeply in love with their mate but the bigger picture is our future and/or success. Coretta Scott King once said “the hardest part about being with a man of passion is understanding that passion.” Women don’t understand men want to provide but the pressure to do right is so overwhelming for some.

If our women backed us up, and vice versa, imagine the feats we can accomplish if we gave each other had that perfect push

By K.E.L.L.s

The Twitter Epidemic: Buried Alive

Many things separate social networking sites like myspace and facebook apart from twitter. On Twitter we’re forced to view opinions and/or ideas we
1. sometime don’t care a bout
2. don’t always agree with and
3. don’t wish to see.

Between RTs , inconsistent tweople, party promotions and the ever present “yo listen to my song” tweets many have just resorted to scrolling right past your “epic” tweet or something you felt was important to read.

Ever see a question tweeted and/or statement then see them RT they self a few minutes later? Or see them say, “So nobody goin’ answer me huh?” That’s someone who doesn’t realize that they’ve just been buried alive by the bulk of nonsense on a “friend’s” timeline.

The problem with following people based on one day of agreeing with them is that we all have millions of different ideas, if someone tweets something you agree with on a Tuesday, you follow them, but on that Wednesday they start talking about some ol’ other stuff that you don’t agree with, without even realizing it most times you question them “This can’t be the same person, how could he/she say this!?” We grow attachments to the people we follow and expect certain things from them forgetting that we’re all different from day to day.

A large percentage of time on twitter is spent scrolling. Gurantee you most of your tweets are not getting the attention it deserves because of this. Your good thoughts and/or opinions get buried alive. Your good words may be falling on death ears. Try not to get buried alive.

By K.E.L.L.s