May

Shed So Many Tears🙏🏾

“After this, NO ONE a threat me! Those committed to evil will die out eventually.”
Thank you God for the pen. That’s not a shot at atheists, or whatever your beliefs. I have mine, you have yours, and I pray for you and am commanded (it is my duty!!🙌🏾❤️) to #love you no matter what. No matter race, color, creed in gender.

But sometimes. Its hard for me to go outside. I was already wrongfully thrown in jail, harassed by the police-won’t get into that. I won’t get into how people discriminated against me at a Fortune 500 company (my lawyer handled it-thank you). I won’t go into how they tried to have me fired, belittled me in public, since nasty emails to my boss (the VP). I let it go.

But today, I was struck how I’ve been delivered from it all. Literally, these words came through for me: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone”-as Bob Marley quoted in loving reply to the rejection of the other side of his family of which was a different shade. He responded to the pain, and the hurt, with love-not anger.

But its hard sometimes. Its hard when you get treated like s**t every day. Its hard when people act like you aren’t there-even though they can feel your breath on their beautiful skin.

Is there hate in me? No. But I had to take the pain, channel it, and use it; I don’t want to end up a statistic, like those who let anger consume them. Let love consume.

I’m not preaching. These are just #Facts. This is how I live. The tears are real. This is my poetry. I’m telling the world: “Please, for the love of GOD (or whoever you believe in), consider your neighbor; you don’t have to like them (we can’t like everyone😂), but we can #RESPECT everyone. This is my prayer, my wish, my goal for a world torn my war, divisions, and racism.

The racism that I, unfortunately, have to deal with on a day to day basis; even if you are able to give yourself a little bit of a cushion from the hatred around you-you eventually encounter.

But my grandma was concerned. My mom was worried. They saw a change, and they saw something they knew would be bad unless it stopped.

So I decided to forgive the #racist #sheriff in #Arizona , and all the people who are racist by accident. What does that mean? Those that think anyone who has been victimized by racism, and speaks up about it, should be hushed, silenced, or even worse-discount what they say because it makes the person feel guilty. But I feel all my black and brown folks. I feel for all the immigrants who get hassled, taken advantage of, and work for meager pay.

It’s hard y’all. But I choose love and #forgiveness. Sorry if I am being too wordy, but I have to make it clear. It’s not me being overly sensitive. It’s “really hard”. It’s hard for the women who are disrespected constantly and sent “di*k pictures” by men on Tinder (“ARE YOU SERIOUS?” Stop the harassment men. RESPECT #women and give your lives over to #genderequality). It’s the right thing to do, and women deserve to be respected the same as men.

This might be the realest s*it I ever wrote-like Pac said. But, I can’t close without one last thing. I love all people of all backgrounds, but #BlackLivesMatter (please don’t block me for saying this Instagram. Lol😂). It’s not just about police brutality (I must love and respect the police too, after all, they are men); still, its not right to try to discount this if you aren’t oppressed-or have never experienced what they’ve experienced. Like I’ve said before, how can I discount my lady’s complaints-while pregnant-dismiss them, and say they aren’t real?! C’MON SON!😂 When woman speaks, I must listen. When the poor speak, I must listen. I must love. Keep your mouth shut Jean! Let her speak. Be silent and wait for your turn. I feel like saying “F*ck the police!”, but I won’t. That’s not love. That’s petty. That is beneath you John. The police lives matter, as well as all lives, but (and a big “BUT” at that😂❤️), “black lives matter” is symbolic. It means we need to start treating people of darker complexions with the same respect and dignity as others; and guess what? We still aren’t there yet! We have made progress-but just look at the comments on Facebook whenever the news posts something about this, and you can literally smell the strife and division- in addition to seeing it when reading the hateful words with your own eyes, the racial slurs, the confederate flag- l have 5 years of executive level selling experience. I wouldn’t say this unless it was fact based; unless I had the experience to back it up.

So I say, “Love, #peace, and blessings-including Muslim, gay, straight, whatever. They hurt me today, but I’m back. I’m on my way to the gym, and I have $1000 leather pants on. Thank you Lord!😂

Last but not least, #thankyou #Drake for #ViewsFromThe6 ! I needed the song: “Hype”! It was my gospel music today. Sorry mom!😂 But these lines are true. I will never be broke or oppressed again. The humble will be raised up. If you are downtrodden, just hold on-and stay away from alcohol if you can (trees are better!😂). Seriously though, just keep on keepin’ on. Keep on rockin’ in the free world. #NeilYoung. But if they ever come for me or my family, the leash is off.

This also came true for my life. 10 days of jail and now this!!😄🙌🏾 My dreams are coming true. Why? LOVE ALWAYS WINS ❤️✌🏾️

“Sit at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

Thank you again Drake. I also know that showing emotion doesn’t make you a pu**sy. End misogny also! Love love love!❤️✌🏾️
The song (for reference) 👉🏾http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg_FD_erZzw

May

In life when I had to fight, I leaned on Pac. Nights I was alone on the highway, no money, looking for my next sale-so I could get some commission and pay my rent. Often during those times, I felt fear, and sometimes I felt like I would crack under the pressure; that was until I put on this!😄👉🏾“Tradin’ War Stories” by Tupac Amaru Shakur}. Gohan was just a smile child, but something was awakened in him when those who cared about him were under threat. The spirit of the warrior: “We tradin war stories! Outlaws on the rise, jealous n*****s I despise-LOOK IN MY EYES🙌🏾” #tupac #tupacshakur #2pac #tupacquotes #poetry #writer #blogger #music #hiphop #jeanpaulgaultier #french #designers #fashion #fashionblogger #inspiration #styleblogger #LACMA #art #photography #camoflauge #military #style #reigningmen

Apr

Son, don’t forget my teaching; The calm before the storm

I remember what my pop’s told me-no blasphemy.😉 My mother seconded with emphasis. They sat me down, and they bound their instructions around my neck and my heart; I stared at them wide-eyed, entranced by stories of what they told me would one day happen-dreams realized: “But only if your priorities are straight Jean!” Even when the apartments were roach infested, the Presence never left. When I was in jail, I was surrounded with your protection. Now, when I hit the streets, its time to light it on fire.🔥
“The motivation for me, was them telling me what I could not be.” It’s like fuel to me. Hate me when you see me. Please. Not just because I am used to it, and I am a creature of habitat-but because I enjoy it. Like Tony Montana: “Its fun!”

Let it boil. Jealousy, pride, arrogance. Talk down, only to find your words sink, while I rise up in all black. Black as night. Sideglances get me aroused. Mockery and backtalk are adrenaline shots. Being ignored is a daily exercise, but it doesn’t change my dream. It doesn’t take away from the gift around my neck. It doesn’t nullify my mother’s words, which she received from her mother, and her mother before her. So why would I ever disagree with that or ever turn my back? It’s written in blood. Lord knows I swore an oath that only he could break. As long as I have breath, I will continue to work with your words pushing behind me like wind.

She taught me “Everything I know!”😂

#poetry #writer #wordsmith #blogger #fashionblogger #poem #spontaneous #art #photography #blessed #thankyoumom #thankyoudad #love #proverbs #styleblogger #personalstyle #stylebop #Vans #slipon #sneakers #streetphotography #sneakerhead

Feb

Offensive or art?

“Definition Of A Thug Nigga” http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ60jOFpM60 #2pac #tupacshakur #Rap #music #hiphop
I’ll start out by making it exceptionally clear that I-just little old me-is NOT the authority on the answer to this question. After all, its YOU.

That’s right. Indulge me for just a moment. Is it possible that two people can look at the same painting and walk away taking something away that is completely different? Different experience. Different meaning. In other words, viewing the same masterpiece, and somehow materializing a totally different version of the image beamed to their eyes from the combustible interaction of their synapses and neurons zigzagging the highway of their enigmatic minds?

Since we don’t even completely understand how the human mind functions, although we know a lot, we can’t rule out the possibility that the answer is “yes”. In fact, amongst our everyday communication, this is no uncommon occurence. It reappears out of nowhere every time we take one’s meaning to mean something else entirely. Being misunderstood.

Misunderstanding one another seems to, unfortunately, be in fashion today. Fox News takes what this person says, twists it up,and flings it out at the rabid animals tearing each other apart for the first bite. MSNBC takes another one and launches it past the bleachers. One person speaks. Says something about the Oscars. Does a dance in the endzone. Performs a dance in black leather at the Super Bowl. World explodes. Twitter’s tweeters tweet sharply pinned barbs and aim for the throat. Useless and unneccsary blood is spilt. Still no understanding.

Take the word “nigga” for example. A favorite artist, poet, and musician of mine-Tupac Shakur-comes to mind as someone who was unashamed in his use of the word and convinction in expressing his art. One of his songs particularly struck me, with respect to the ability of words, often in the form of art, to strike two dispartate conclusions as to their meaning. This is why I put this song at the beginning of this post.

So, a little bit of history on this song. It was first featured on the “Poetic Justice” soundtrack back in 1993. It was produced by Warren G and Pac. Later on, it was released on “R U Still Down”- Pac’s first posthumous release-courtesy of his mother, Afeni Shakur. More on this later. The album would go on to sell over 4 million copies (4X platinum). This release would follow with 4 more releases.

If you heard the song, it starts out with a voice sample of a young lady saying defiantly, “No one is closing me out of my business.” The song’s composer and lyrcist goes on to open the song, “I play the cards I was given. Thank God I’m still living.” Then he says he has to arm himself with a 9 millimeter pistol in his own neighborhood, in case some of the young criminals in the neighborhood attempt to accost him. The song continues with the tale of someone in a rough neighborhood, trying to survive, and overcoming the obstacles to this survival. Something that we all know is a human right. The right to pursue life, happiness, and sustain oneself. What really struck me was the statement, “I put that on my moms! Word to the motherfuc***g trigger. Before I go broke, I’ll be a drug dealer. My definition of a thug nigga.”

Often people hear that word, and they cringe. They might argue over whether people have a right to say it. Some say its profane. Or it should be banned. Or it is tacky. Lowclass. Ghetto. Offensive.

What the artist meant with this term-definition of a thug nigga-was misunderstood by a lot of people. These people all had one thing in common. They had never actually been in the situation described in the song. But to the people who knew, they could feel in their hearts what he meant. It is something every man and woman has a built-in drive and desire for; and that is to do whatever it takes to survive with the best resources available to him. This same imagery, of the “hand I was dealt” that he refers to, is a universal image. The definition universal along with it. Someone who is impoverished, who climbs out from under that poverty, dodging the snapping claws of the hostile crabs they are surrounded by…THAT is a person who personifies the strength of the human spirit. Bravery. Courage. That person deserves respect. That person came from nothing to something. That person is the definition.
The story ends with this. The artist of this song would be tragically murdered-gunned down on the Las Vegas strip. Due to his forethought and prudence, his mother would be taken care of, financially speaking, for LIFE. Don’t we all want to do that for our loved ones? It’s touching that he was able to accomplish this-coming from poverty-and left his mother, who was the dearest person in the world to him, with an unforgettable reminder of his love for her. That’s what he meant. That is the meaning of the defi tion of a thug nigga.

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The Black Aesthete

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Shed So Many Tears🙏🏾

Son, don’t forget my teaching; The calm before the storm

Offensive or art?