The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Last week, May 27, 2011, the great poet, musician, author, and spoken word pioneer Gil Scott-Heron left this dimension, and we all have been inspired to ponder his legacy.

I remember one Saturday afternoon in the early 80s, while fingering through the record collection at my Grandma Annie's house in Elizabeth City, NC, I came across the LP (or the big plastic cd thing to you youngsters) Small Talk at 125th and Lenox. I had no idea who this guy was but I knew that I LOVED LOVED LOVED the song 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised'! I can still hear him chanting "the revolution will not be televised"

The only line that called out to me as a 6 year old was "The revolution will not come with Coke", and would anxiously wait for that part to come. I was my quest to time it just right and jump in with that line on time. I wouldn't play anything else until I was successful.

As I look back it becomes obvious to me that I walked away with more than the powerful feeling that came with my success. No one ever thinks about who or what influences them until they get famous and asked the question.

I had never really pondered my answer to the question until this very moment...ok well maybe 3 minutes ago.

Gil Scott-Heron is one of my biggest influences. He is the first person to introduce me to poetry and the actual idea of a Revolution in smooth ass kinda way. I had never really thought of how he helped me fall in love with poetry, and embrace my inner rebel.

As a sixth grader my English teacher Mrs McMillian told me that I was "A rebel with NO cause." Even though I embraced her statement, (Kinda thought it was cool) I never really took the time to think about what that statement meant.

Rebellion is in my DNA. Every cell in my body was programmed to revolt. It clearly is so rebellious that my white blood cells are now attacking ME (thanks MS...flips the bird) but I still stand here in defiance.

I will honor Gil Scott-Heron's legacy and strive to be a part of this proverbial Revolution.

If you continue to sit on the sidelines you will miss it.

Life is but a dream. Our days were allotted & our burdens assigned long before we even crossed into this dimension.

I hope to live a life in defiance of the status quo...so I speak words of revolution & change.

Rest in Paradise Mr. Gil Scott-Heron. I am honored to have been inspired by you. I hope that you see the fruit of your labor and look on with pride.

Hate It or Love It; Either Way You Felt Somethin'

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. Will Not Be Televised. Will Not Be Televised.

Letter to Donald Trump

Dear Mr Trump,

As a Republican and lover of all things free enterprise, I'm letting you know it would be so much easier for me to take you seriously as a candidate if you would stop talking about Obama's birth certificate.

You are already making strong arguments about us losing 290 billion in commerce and job opportunities to the Chinese just last year. You seemed passionate as a business man when you said that you were "tired of building buildings with parts that are made in China". Good...me too! I like that you allege to have a business plan to get America out of "this mess". Great...I'd love to see it. Its early and you have already laid the groundwork for what it will take to keep me from voting for Obama again but this time ONLY because he's black.

Then I hear you say some dumb shit like "It is POSSIBLE that the President was born in Hawaii. How can any Red-Blooded Republican question the legality of someone's presidency? Didn't the other guy get more votes that time? Didn't Bush have his little brother Jeb trick those geezers out of their vote so he could secure his electoral college numbers?

But wait...let me pump my brakes because I almost sound like you when I say stuff like that. Difference is I'm a journalist and not running for President of this great country.

UrbanJournalist

Jim Crow on Display in Eastern NC

On April 6, 2011 James Richardson was convicted of double murder in Greenville, NC and sentenced to two consecutive life without parole sentences, plus another 8 to 12 years for the gun charge.

Lamuel Anderson, Juror #12, held a press conference and spoke out on April 7th saying he caved under pressure from Judge and Jury. Jury deliberations in James Richardson's trial began on Friday, April 1st and lasted for four days.

Anderson's wife stated that her husband told her that on Friday there were three votes for not-guilty Juror 7, Juror 11, and , Juror 12.

The jury was not sequestered over the weekend.

According to Anderson, by Monday morning April 4th Juror 11 had changed their mind. Juror 12 then sent a note by the foreman to Judge Duke asking for an explanation of a hung jury, noting his hesitancy to change his mind.

Judge Duke responded by telling the jury it was their "duty" to return a unanimous verdict.

Tuesday April 5th, Juror 7 changed their mind. Juror 12 asked to be removed from the jury. Judge Duke denied his request.

Judge Duke met with the Jury on the morning of April 6th and laid out the rules of conviction once more. Telling jurors, "In the course of your deliberations, you should not hesitate to reexamine your own views and change your opinion."

Juror 12 changed his mind on April 6th.

The Defendant, James Richardson's mother spoke out at the press conference saying the state failed to prove its case. Pointing out that the burden of proof was on the state.

The defense was able to poke holes into the state's case by pointing out discrepancies in statements taken by police, showed their lack of eyewitnesses and DNA evidence. There were no witnesses who placed Richardson in the car while shots were fired. There were also witnesses who testified seeing more than one gunman in the car.

Richardson's mother said, "They had no suspect. They didn't have enough probable cause for a warrant, much less a Capital case!"

Juror 12 said the state didn't not prove to him beyond a reasonable doubt that Richardson was even in the car at the time of the shooting. He said the evidence showed the gunman had to be firing from the passenger's seat, which directly contrasted the state's lone gunman theory.

He says he regrets not sticking to his convictions but is glad he spoke out. He says he wants to see justice served.

When corruption in the legal system on all levels its disheartening but sadly all too common.

Several witnesses testified under oath that police falsified their statements when they were reported as identifying the defendant in the car.

The prosecution denied offering the one witness who testified against Richardson a deal in exchange for his testimony, despite the documentation presented by the defense.

The judge repeatedly ignored juror issues and ordered the jury to return a unanimous decision.

Separate but equal still seems to apply in Eastern North Carolina. It is my hope that Jim Crow's reign will finally end soon.

Geekboi In Training

What on Earth am I being trained to be?

As I take a look at my life right now in this moment I see myself teetering on the edge of a personal breakthrough. And even though I immediately get an image of Sister Gillespi's karate chop choir directing arm (shouts to all my fellow Breakthrough Choir members...lol), I'm not talking about a Spiritual Breakthrough. Nor am I talking about a Financial Breakthrough (sorry Mom). I am on the cusp a a Personal Breakthrough.

On January 25, 2006 I stood underneath the stars and declared that I would stop EXISTING...and actually LIVE. I had given 30 years of my life to other people and it only resulted in my misery. Every aspect of my life was the result of a choice I had made for someone else. I knew that my life would be different; I just had no idea how much I'd be right.

My anger at my mediocre life forced me to start a revolution. I quit my job. I moved my family. I found a career. I traveled. Indulged my kids. Found love. I mean I really enjoyed life.

I began to create again. Music had returned. Softly sung Alto tones sometimes woke me, and inspired me to write. Her silhouette beckoned to be drawn. Odd beauty my muse. It was the 2nd time in my life that I was saved by The Arts.

But only God knew that was just the High before the Low. Only He knew that my love would fade long before my health did. That my right side would suddenly stop working. That my kids would no longer be in the next room, and that their faces would be replaced by those of my roommates'. That she would say, "I'm getting married tomorrow" as I lay naked watching her get dressed to leave. That I would spend my Valentine's Day alone in the hospital. That I would have to fight to regain custody of my sons. That once I started to rebound she would try to hook me again. That I would find the strength to walk away from her and close the door behind me. That I would find the courage to be alone.

But here again...only God knows what His plan is for me.

Happiness is an achievement; unfortunately it must be preceded by Pain.

I feel like a modern day Job, even after I lost it all I refused to curse him. (I got mad and challenged Him to a few jousts but never cursed him).

I realize it all must be preparation for something...

Now my journey has me studying great thinkers from the past and present, and realizing that I have more in common with them than I thought. Learning to live my life based on principles, not in a never ending chase of doe. Experiencing unconditional love and true friendship. Laughing from my soul, and smiling in the dark. Living and Loving.

I realize that I swallowed a Red Pill on my 30th birthday, and ever since that moment I've been in a training simulator.

Now I'm starting to anticipate blows and form bonds with like-minded strangers, its almost time for that proverbial "Untelevised Revolution".

Once my training and transformation is complete; I'll be sent back into The Matrix...Armed with Jokes and Experience...Ready to Kick ass and Take Names. My fight scenes are gonna be EPIC!

...Hate It or Love it; Either Way You Felt Somethin'

Geekboi's Truths

Another year on this earth. Its hard to believe that I'm 35. Last year this time I was totally melancholy. I had been dealt a blow that forced me to reset my life. I decided that I needed to reconnect with the things that shaped my character; my family, my clones, my home. I knew that if nothing else, I would be safe at home.

In my cocoon with take-out menus and my journal I let my heart bleed. My pain drove me to my knees; and not with prayers for my health but with prayers for my own heart. As my hopes and fears gushed I took a good look at the person I had become. Once I peeled back the scabs, cleansed myself of the residual emotions, and fed my soul I could recognize the person in the mirror. Sure I had aged and had a few battle scars but thats what is supposed to happen in life; if you truly live. No one has learned to ride a bike without getting some scars. To quote Mr. McKlurkin, "we fall down but we get up."

I had it all wrong. I thought the failure was in the fall; I learned the failure was in refusing to get up.

Not only did I get up, I covered that sink hole and I moved on.

Three great things happened in my 34th year of life; I began to share my poetry, I connected with my children as people not responsibilities, and I was gifted with an angel...my Nala.

Happiness is an achievement not a gift. You must work for it. You must cultivate the relationship you have with the creator, cultivate the relationships you have with those that will mourn your passing, and look to be a blessing to someone else.

Now that I have begun my journey to my destiny; I can't wait to see what year 35 has in store. I hope that every time I interact with someone they leave with something they have to talk about. Whether its something I said, the way I carry myself, or something I did good or bad...

...Hate It or Love It; Either Way You Felt Somethin'

In Breaking The Cycle Did We Really BREAK The Cycle?

Everything has a cycle. Its the ultimate measuring tool. Day to Night. January to December. Before the Common Era (BCE formerly known as BC) and After the Common Era (ACE formerly known as AD). Birth to Death. Wealth and poverty. War and Peace. Discovery and annihilation. The human experiment is ever changing, constantly evolving. Some changes take millions of years (ie homo erectus to homo sapien). While others can manifest themselves within a generation.

Natural Selection ensures survival of a species. Humans have survived on this planet because we have been designed to consistently adapt to our environment. Dinosaurs were fossilized because they could not. It is the reason we have maintained our position atop the food chain. As I reflect on the history of humanity I wonder if some of the changes we have made placed us on a path to extinction.

Since the dawn of time life had an order, and gender came with assigned roles. We cry. We eat. We talk. We grow. Boys pee standing. Girls pee sitting. Boy learns trade. Girl learns to nurture. Boy leaves home. Girl cleans home. Boy meets Girl. Girl falls in love. Boy buys ring. Girl says "yes". They say "I do". Husband provides. Wife enriches. Couple buys a house. Spouses become parents. Son emulates father. Daughter emulates mother. The cycle begins anew.

When Earth was gripped in its first global war, victory was achieved because America sent her sons to war and taught her daughters a trade. The unexpected bi-product of this shift in gender roles was a boost in Capitalism. New wage earners created new taxpayers and consumers. The cycle of poverty was broken and the Middle Class was born.

In breaking the cycle did we BREAK the cycle?

Empowered females no longer saw the value in traditional gender roles. Men were only needed for sex. Marriage was no longer needed for security.

Prophylactics ushered in the era of planned parenting. An entire generation of children grew up watching Mommy provide in Daddy's absence.

In the matter of less than four generations there has been a dramatic shift in gender roles. Post WWI Americans demanded more rights. Boys have the right to pee sitting down. Girls have the right to learn a trade. Boy meets Girl but has the right to meet more Girls (or Boys). Girl has the right to never fall in love. Boy has the right to buy watch instead of ring. Girl has the right to become a mother before she becomes a wife. Boy has the right to become a father and never become a man.

Why does that Boy pee sitting down? He learned to pee by watching his mother.

Why does that Girl learn a trade? She was taught by her mother to never depend on a man.

Why does that Boy never commit? He is perpetually in search for the mate that makes him feel needed.

Why does that Girl never fall in love? She sees men as equals instead of embracing their differences and only has a desire to enrich her own life.

Why does that Boy buy a watch instead of a ring? The appearance of wealth attracts more mates than responsibility does.

Why does that Girl become a Mother before she becomes a wife? The various cures for pregnancy have removed the fear of the consequences having sex can bring. Love is no longer a prerequisite for sex.

How can that Boy be a father and never be a Man? He had no male to emulate. He grew up believing that women were supposed to be strong and independent like his mother.

Can the cycle be repaired? Can humanity be saved? Or will we learn to embrace our gender roles with pride knowing that offspring learn behaviors through emulation.

Letter to the President

Dear Mr President,

I want to begin by saying how proud I am of the way you have run this country. America seems to be slowly getting back to her feet. I see fewer new foreclosure signs, the DOW over 10 thousand, troops returning home, terror plots averted, and even some people returning to work. I know it took a lot of work to achieve those victories and I really aplaude your efforts and successes in those areas.

But Sir, you are the President, the leader of the greatest democracy in the history of man. "The Buck Stops Here!" is on your desk; excuses disguised as credible reasons don't go over well with me. I am the rarest of the rare, a young Disabled Black Lesbian Republican...who voted for you in 08. I voted for you because I believed in the change you were describing. When I hear you say things like, "Yes We Can...But..." its disheartening...more black tie excuses. I would much rather hear, "Yes we are working on on...and are facing these challenges."

Deliver that transparency in government that you promised. Not only as it applies to evidence of weapons of mass destruction but also as it applies to those areas of your policy that cause political rifts and those legislators guilty of blocking it from being voted into law. I think you will find that if you let the press along with the American people know what is going on they together they will start to question any representative guilty of holding up progress.

Americans have been reminded legislators, Congresspersons and Representatives are OUR voice in government. They have been elected to be the voice of the majority in their area of the country and each area has different values and beliefs. With each area comes a different group of minorities with a different Civil Rights Issue. I happen to be a member of four separate minority groups...blacks, women, gays, and handicapped. I was born a member of all of these groups. I experience more prejudice because I am a Lesbian or due to my disability than I do because of my race and gender and I am tremendously saddened by this.

The Civil Rights of the Disabled are being violated everyday. We have no "real" choice in our treatments. Pharmaceutical monopolies cause us to have to choose between medicine and bills because the extremely tight fixed budget force us to be forever dependent. As a disabled person I have the right to hold my head up in pride because I am self-sufficient. I should have access to that same American dream that each citizen has. The right provide for my family and to be treated with dignity and respect, not pity, everywhere I go.

Why does "marriage" need to be defined?

As American I was promised the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I have found life and freedom in the arms of a beautiful, intelligent, strong woman but we can not openly pursue total happiness til death. There aren't any laws on the books that allow my life partner to make medical decisions on my behalf, inherit the wealth we build together, adopt my children and raise a family with me, and worship whatever God we choose. I merely want the right to provide for my family in the same manor I would be allowed to do if I had chosen to spend the rest of my life with a man.

Mr. President I believe that you will be the greatest President of my generation. You have the opportunity and the ability to usher in historical change. Your knowledge of Law and compassion for all Americans is unmatched and unparalleled. Your biracial heritage affords you the opportunity through your relatives to see a wider spectrum of human issues and America will be greater for it.

Thank you Sir in advance for all that you will do for this blessed democracy,
UrbanJournalist