To Embrace Our Space…

The city is alive with life

Blacks grin in the sun through the hot winds and rains

happiness grows unique in hells fire

but there is relief,

relief to smile, relief to laugh, to SCREAM

embrace our space…

THIS IS OUR CITY!!!!

and we don’t own, but who cares

we give the city color,

we give it spice, we give blood,

and we’re here to stay

THIS IS OUR CITY!!!

We scorch the streets

careless with care, bleeding detachment

and we grin,

grin face to face with the fires of hell,

but there is releif

relief to scream, relief to laugh, to smile,

to embrace our space…

You Visited Me (9/10/04)

When I was in prison,

I rarely got mail.

I searched for my friends,

a search I would fail.

When I was in prison,

I never wrote home.

I gave up on family,

they were quickly gone.

When I was in prison,

I avoided the phone.

I swallowed a bitter pill,

…I’m better alone…

When I was in prison,

I can’t say I miss it.

I was pulled from the brink,

with only one visit.

Fred Hampton: A Giant In Chicago

Fred Hampton was born August 30, 1948 and was brutally murdered in his apartment by a tactical unit of the Cook County, Illinois State’s Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the Chicago Police Department and FBI aiding in the outright murder of one of our young leaders. After his December 4, 1969 murder the Chicago Police continued for many years murdered and falsely incarcerated members of Black leaders and their followers to carry out the mission of the Federal Government (liquidate, kill, and dismantle any Black run or operated groups that did not seek to maintain the status quo). Fred Hampton lived and died one of our illuminated minds driving forward with an active campaign to better protect, build, and elevate our communities at all cost. Unfortunately, our enemies managed to cut this beautiful example of the potential of Black youth short before he reached his prime.

Denzel Washington in Malcolm X

One of the greatest character portrayals in modern cinema.

The World on his Shoulders

He’s been to the deepest of holes,

and to the darkest of rooms.

Felt the cold voice of silence,

and the loudest of booms.

On his shoulders lie calloused wounds,

from the burden of time and hurt.

His broken back and shattered dreams,

testify to his unpaid work.

Still living in the depths of night,

he seeks to bring light near.

He can’t let go of this crushing weight,

his heart is full of fear.

On his feet lie blisters and sores,

his chains drag the ground.

He kicks and screams, writhing in pain,

but no one can hear a sound.

Still living in the deepest of holes,

he dreams of his escape.

Wounds and chains, darkness and pain,

this chance he has to take.

He takes one final leap of fate,

and answered his hearts demands.

The world was never on his shoulders,

it was always in his hands.

Saul Williams

Saul Williams in the film (Slam). He is one of the foremost poets of our time.

Sidney Poitier

This is pure genius, both the writing and the performance. Sidney Poitier is PURE GENIUS in this movie (Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner) as usual. This should be seen and studied by all new fathers as it expresses a profound message about the relationships between fathers and sons across generations.

Excerpt From David Walker’s Appeal

“Are we MEN! ! — I ask you, 0 my brethren I are we MEN? Did our Creator make us to be slaves to dust and ashes like ourselves? Are they not dying worms as well as we? Have they not to make their appearance before the tribunal of Heaven, to answer for the deeds done in the body, as well as we? Have we any other Master but Jesus Christ alone? Is he not their Master as well as ours? — What right then, have we to obey and call any other Master, but Himself? How we could be so submissive to a gang of men, whom we cannot tell whether they are as good as ourselves or not, I never could conceive. However, this is shut up with the Lord, and we cannot precisely tell — but I declare, we judge men by their works.”

David Walker’s Appeal (Published in September 1825) is quite possibly one of the most radical anti-slavery documents and still holds relevance to the plight of people of color around the world today.

My Future

Difficult to see my future was
a world without you my future was
a wisdom not yet tested my future was
and along came you
along came you and changed ideas
changed my voice
changed my heart
You challenged my thoughts
helped me see the trees and feel the breeze
you made me critique my own face when the world called me ugly
when the world broke my heart and flipped my script
you reminded me…
Im just trying to do whats right
trying to create man without a mold in the image of what I’ve not seen
trying to “give in” while being bold
trying to be wise and warm in a world thats ignorant and cold
and I struggle
….I struggle…..
I struggle with myself and want for things I dont yet desrve
you ease my struggles with your kind words
And please forgive me for expressing untimely emotions
This is all so new to my heart
and the extent of my damage I wont attempt to mention
so please forgive me if I dont choose either or
just know that I’m happy that the choice is from you
forgive me if I forget
forgive me if I falter
forgive me if I get to close
forgive me if I ask to much or move too fast
…forgive me…
but I went so long
….so long….
I need you to understand that I need to be touched
my heart needs to be held
I need to be told that it’s real because in our world
so many decieve the truth and lie to themselves for pretend happiness
they pretend happiness to keep up
pretend to get over
pretend to feel good
and pretend to look right when really they are stuck in what’s wrong
you never give me reason to pretend
Difficult to see my future was
a world without you my future was
a wisdom not yet tested my future was
and along came you
…My future…

Issues (Part One)

It’s not like it used to be

you know…

you

me

us…

together.

One side of me says goon

you know…

new

love

experience…

separate

The other side says stay

you know…

work

trust

heal…

together

But what kind of man would I be

you know…

fear

shame

pride…

…issues…