.:: LiBM ::.

To Snitch or Not to Snitch – And the role of the community

I know you have heard it all before – “stop snitching”, “don’t rat”, et cetera, et cetera. Many people don’t believe in the justice system, and especially the face of the justice system (cops). Now, in particular communites (especially, black, latin communities) there have been a long-standing demise of the relationship between the police, and the communities that they are supposed to ‘protect & serve’. Many stories of police brutality, and corruption are almost synonomous with police behaviour; and of course, the ultimate blow to the relationship between police and black/latino communities was the videotaped beating of Rodney King: that solidfied the disdain and distrust that many have of police.

So with that history, being circulated and passed on through oral & written tradition, and with popular music vocalizing the notions of ’stop snitching’ – what are we supposed to do in the face of an injustice? If we don’t ’snitch’ (hypothetically speaking), then what do we do when we know of, or have seen, an injustice committed in our community? Do we turn a blind eye?

Could you turn a blind eye if you were attached to the situation (i.e. someone you knew was victimized)?

I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you don’t wanna ’snitch’ then you need to go to the members in the community who can rectify the situation.

For example:
In Arizona, a young teenage girl was violently raped; many in the community knew who was responsible. However, there was/is a disdain for cooperating with the law. So what happened? Several members in the community went to the people responsible for the rape, and basically told them to turn themselves in to the authorities … and surprisingly, the rapists obligied.

What I get out of this interesting story is that the community has decided to police and regulate behavior (sort of what the Black Panther party was ‘ideally’ supposed to accomplish).

Ergo, if we choose not to ’snitch’ then, when something goes awry, the community has to step up to the plate and exercise justice.

What do y’all think??

Some random thoughts on the current state of Hip-Hop ….

Seems like the current state of Hip-Hop is bleek – I’m sorry to say. I honestly thought that maybe Hip-Hop was making a move towards a positive direction; led by Chicago’s Lupe Fiasco, who brought actual lyrical content to his songs — in comparison to the current shit on the airwaves.

However, despite the solid album and maybe a combination of the album being leaked on the Internet several months earlier, only 80,000 people have purchased the album.
Thus, the ‘movement’ I had wished is dormant – absent of a solid, legitimate figurhead — beaten for the public’s desire for ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’, and songs of that nature.

Where to begin, if ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ is New York’s attempt to try & regain the crown in hip-hop, then the 5 borough’s are in some serious trouble. No one likes a biter — East, West, South Coast it doesn’t matter. Emulating what is popular WILL not restore the East back to prominence. The South has brought the ‘fun’ back to hip-hop with basically, creating songs about dances. The East doesn’t or shouldn’t mimic the same formula. The ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ song/dance just looks like NYC’s desperate appeal for attention, but it is catchy though ….. and let it rain

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P.S. I anticipate some ‘hate’ but come with some legitimate arguments please.

A thought in the arts of Hating ….

Now, hating is nothing new – its a part of daily life, as people say and/or do certain things to try to undermine and/or impede your progress; growing up in a major city, i’ve grown to accept that.

When the hate is directed to me, I can handle it – dish it back, package it properly right back to the sender. However, this new ‘hate by association’ thing is perplexing.

An ex-girl of a colleague of mines is deciding (against better judgment) to spread hate on him, and myself to people that are in our circle. Now, go ahead girl, do your thing and hate on your ex-man that may have done a, b, and c, to you (or, what you perceive), but don’t include me; that is wreckless hating (new word) and can have some adverse consequences – kind of like pain medication.

I’m sure ‘Collateral Hating’ is a common occurrence, but what it should do the victims involved (i.e. being ME) is that it should propel the energy in one’s self to over-achieve above the hater’s limited expectations of you. Yes, I could get mad, angry, and spew about it, but i’d rather manifest that energy into trying to triumphant the feat that the hater thinks I can’t do.

Also, it is comforting to know that most haters are not a ’stand-up’ species; rather in the face of adversity or confrontation they swelter … saying “Nah, I didn’t say that, she said that”, hmmm, that reminds of some type of species … on all fours though …

Peace Haters

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Lemme know what y’all think … peace.

I am not really one to be writing about relationships and crap, but I figured I will give it a try.

Quick run-down:
Boy knows girl for several years; they kept in touch but sporadically. Girl felt like Boy was just going after her goodies; which was kinda true, but over time – boy matured and girl felt that level of maturity, so girl and boy start talking. However, Girl has broken up with her ex 6-8 months) before girl reconnects with boy. Girl likes Boy, vice versa. Girl thinks and professes that boy is great, ideal, and really likes Boy (also thinks that Boy is a great communicator, compromiser, and intelligent) – thus, girl initiates a date. On date both have a good time, enjoy each others company, date ends with a kiss. However, girl is overwhelmed with feelings of joy/bliss, but is conflicted with her ex (mind you, who cheated and disrespected her). Thus, girl panics and freaks out (which I dont understand). Ignores Boy for several weeks and ignores his phone calls. Finally, Girl sees the errs in her ways, and contacts Boy and says that she is sorry for her actions, but Boy is upset that girl would treat her this way … sorry for the ‘quick run-down’

Now, besides knowing that naturally, women are generally screwed; as is, they have no idea of knowing what they want in life and/or a man. Why can’t women acknowledge and respect when they have a good thing in their life. If girl felt this way, knowing that boy is understanding and is a good communicator, girl should have told boy her feelings – NOT ignore boy like a chicken head (or insert appropriate regional word). That is my qualm. Every action is a reciprocal equal or greater action, and though Boy wishes Girl good luck, i’m sure Boy wishes her some equal/greater treatment as she showed to him, by some other boy … ya dig??

Lemme know what y’all think (women: sorry for the generalizations, but you know what it is already!!).

Angelina started it (maybe with good, pure intentions) when she decided to adopt a baby from Nambia in Africa. At the time I thought, ok, based on her history of working with the U.N. and other agencies that work with the poor and developing nations, maybe her actions are genuine and she really does care about the state of affairs in Africa.

However, now Madonna has gone out and done the same thing, with allegations that she may have used her celebrity power to obtain the baby illegal. Now that may be true, or not, its irrelevant really, but when did Madonna become such a ‘humanitarian’? Several years ago, this broad was slutting her way to the top of the pop charts (and at her old age, she continues to do so). My fear is that Madonna adopted the black child because with everything that is Hollywood, this whole ideal of celebrities ’saving’ those who are less fortunate has become trendy. It is the new ‘it’ thing. And Madonna is the 1st celebrity to FOLLOW in the noble footsteps of Angelina.

The worse thing that made me cringe was when I heard that broad Britney Spears thinking that she might do the same thing.

Black/African PEOPLE are not novelties. I guess my point is, that celebrities should only adopt if they honestly, and genuinely are adopting because they care about the well-being of the child that they adopt – celebrities should not adopt because it may improve their public image/perception (so they can sell more units).

If you want a novelty, find it on eBay, stay the f*** out of Africa.

Guy in the bottom picture is the father of the adopted baby.