Hip Hop and the Culture of People of Color

I saw the last thirty mintues or so of a Hip-Hop Political Forum discussing the Women in Hip Hop. All of the panel ranging from different points of view of the influences of Hip Hop and the troubles in our urban communities had good points. Hip Hop, for example, is not the root or one of the roots of the problems surrounding the hip-hop community. However, it's an influence none the less.

I always go about things as being a cycle; a constant circle taht goes round and round. And therefore, everything affects everything. Our parents, our friends, pop culture, our teachers, our community.

There is a guyanese proverb that says, 'The ruins of a nation beings in the homes of its people.' In other words, even though there is an importance on the collective influences and surroundings of our culture - our family, our friends, our mentors [teachers] are even more responsible for how our community as a whole turns out.

Now, in the Urban or Black/Latino Communities, people like to make note that the people in these populations go through problems of extreme cases; having children too young, parents are drug addicts or criminals. Some parents are righteous citizens by may work too much therefore not being their for their children. I believe children instinctively know they need a role model in their lives. They see their parents aren't their, the school system isn't living up to what it SHOULD be; so, therefore, it seems like children look up to pop culture to tell him or her what to do.

I don't think Hip Hop, the messages it sends, is negative if you are an adult who understands that what is being said is an extreme version of the truth and solely put out there to sell records. Children on the other hand, not matter how bright, are impressionable and what to do what they think adults or their role models want them to do.

The problem is big. I think everyone sees that. It'll take a lot of time and effort to get any sort of progression. We also count on the government to do things. But just like the saying says, 'if no one else can do it right, we're gonna have to do it ourselves.'

Tell Me Something Good...

You know what is amazing? I mean it may not be to you but it is for me - sort of. The whole phenomenon around online communities. Meeting people online in your neighborhood or even other parts of the world.

My best friend met her current love through an online personals site. I've met plenty of friends and associates online. I found a website that connects students with other students of their same university/college which is cool. And, people are really getting into finding their mates online, even marrying them. It's also a good place to link with job seekers or fine volunteer opportunities. People buy and sell, look for services or offer.

It used to be sad if you looked for a date online. Still is for some, or weird because nothing is at it is until you are face to face with the person. However, online relating is less of a stigma as the years go by than it used to be maybe five years ago.

Anyway, I like connecting with people online through e-mail and such. It's entertaining on a temporary level. You never know who'll you meet to. I have met with trouble so I'm counting that my sense of judgement will prevent such a thing. Until then, I'll work with what I got and have fun as much as I can.

Why America?

Sometimes, I just want to move to Europe. Spain has become the third country to grant gay marriage [after Netherlands and Belgium]. It's not that I am gay, because the USA is so guilty of intolerance that it is sickening. I can't stand to witness such bigotry and hurt. I guess that is how I feel now because I just can't involve myself in hardcore protesting and activism. I am sure my future will be full of it.

One of my favorite movies is Under The Tuscan Sun. The main characters moves to Tuscany in this awesome villa and just lives the italian lifestyle. It's simplicity and longing for life is just something I want so bad. This movie just makes me want to leave the US.

This country is becoming so fascist.

Freedom of Religion

When I think of Freedom of Religion, extremists - the far right christians - take it to a whole level. Freedome of Relgion is about allowing citizens of this country to not be discriminated by religion. That means we do not impose on them what religion to believe in. There are people who would rather, no matter how devout, be secular when it comes to their politics as well as atheists.

George Washington, the first president of our country once said, 'The Government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian Religion.'