2010: Brothers Against All Odds

I ain’t dead (nah) I ain’t done (nah)
I ain’t scared (of what!)
I ain’t run (from who!)
But still I stand (yeah)
No matter what people here I am… (yeah)
No matter what remember
I ain’t break (never)
I ain’t fold (never)
They hate me more (so!)
Yeah I know… (ha ha)
Here I go (yeah)
No matter what shawty here I go (ha ha)
No matter what shawty
T.I.

It was appropriate for basketballista writer, Tracy Weissenberg,  to design a piece about basketball player Tracy McGrady with T.I.'s lyrics from his song No Matter What as an intro.  I feel that the lyrics really bring home the deep and righteous struggles of a Black man whether he's working to keep bread on the table or trying a get a GED.  No matter his field of action or environment (In this case it's professional basketball) it is this writer's opinion that there are common threads that connect the mind, heart, soul and spirit to a a powerful oneness.  That powerful oneness should serve as a source of motivation and determination for all brothers past and present who have experienced the struggle of trying to actualize their wholeness in a society that in many ways don't get and support the unique intricacies of their journeys.  While each journey is individualized and  different, still the powerful oneness that is mostly  unseen and revealed but is steeped in our rich ancestral history awash in dignity and beauty should continue to to be a force in elevating us to heights unseen even in an indifferent world.

I ain’t dead (nah)

As we are taught to take our direction from commercial media and are often times wrongly vilified, we can either go forward or die.  Michael Vick decided to go forward. Even as licensed journalists like Tucker Carlson: Vick 'should have been executed' viciousness, after proclaiming his Christian beliefs.  Brother, no one from here has called for the execution of the white race who saw and treated our kin as animals.  Probably the primary difference is they have yet to seek the breath and  depth of forgiveness as you have.  Brother, don't die but keep it going. Brothers have been played hard hard even as they go off to Iraq and foreign lands to promote the master's hegemony.  I salute you brothers, just don't come back dead.

I ain’t done (nah)


I surely hope not, as the first black President served as the source of igniting the fury of so call animal lovers (I am a true animal lover) who felt wronged by his audacity to commend Philadelphia's Owner for giving Vick another chance (Obama's comment on Michael Vick creates firestorm).  Brothers need you, not just to be there for the nation Mr. President, but  brother to brother, we need your moral leadership in knocking  down walls of bondage that have been visited upon black brothers.

I ain’t scared (of what!)


Well brothers should be as when crisis strike like the recession, it strikes the brother harder.  But a shout out to the brothers and  friends serving in Georgia Prison who refuse to allow their rights as humans to be continually violated. Their striking and defiance within the prison walls do not fail  to honor the connectedness of brothers everywhere.  2010 continue with the proliferation of prisons being built to enslave brothers like you and me. Yet you and me can't be scared (of what).

I ain’t run (from who!)

Quite frankly, where can you run to Brother Wesley Snipes when the IRS is breathing down your throat.  This 2010 story (Wesley Snipes Files New Appeal) only expands on the reality of the institutional powers that seem obliged to bring havoc into brothers' lives.  The brother wants to take his appeal all the way to the Supreme Court.  Yes, the prison system ensnared quit a few black notables in 2010 and while some were guilty as hell, make no mistake.many simply just couldn't afford to pay that child support or were victims of a great American past time, lock'em up and throw away the key.  The powerful oneness will not forget you T.I..  Neither will we forget political prisoners like  Abu-Jamal, Kevin Cooper and so many other blacks who are marked for extinction.

But still I stand (yeah)

I'm a prime example when it comes to standing.  Over several decades of fighting against racism and advocating human rights and dignity for all (including dogs) I've grown to know the delusional follies that the commercial (corporate) media calls post-racialism (Bill Maxwell: I never believed any of the post-racial, “transcendent” narrative, and I said so from the beginning).  But in 2010 I became more aware that the more we wish things to go away, the faster time passes us by.  In other words, I decided to stand.

No matter what people here I am… (yeah)

And the indomitable spirit of black men like a Tracy McGrady not only makes be smile, but proud.  Some say that he left, but I say that he was ran out.  He not only took a stand for his right to rehabilitate his professional career but to stand with the victims of Darfur (David Love:  There Should Be More Pro Athletes Like Tracy McGrady). But I can't quite forget the vicious attacks coming from licensed sports commentators like Houston's David Justice (If Daryl Morey can't trade T-Mac now, he's not the general manager some of us have been saying he is).  His freedom at personal attacks should of been disallowed in any decent journalistic vehicle.  My brother Tracy sure has some eccentricities, but don't we all.  But going into a new year the man is walking tall.

No matter what remember

Brother should have never touched Rihanna (Chris Brown Graduates From Domestic Violence Class)
Well we will never know the real story,will we?  But Chris Brown is leaving 2010 with some new top musical hits and is coming into the New Year strong.  By the way, he publicly apologized, did  some mandatory labor, yet continues to be dissed by the unforgiving.  But the man is not living in the past.  That's right brother, do the right thing and stay connected to the powerful oneness.

I ain’t break (never)

I ain’t fold (never)

There are many who did in 2010.  Quick Question.  How many brothers you know who sold out?  My late father once told me it takes a man to stand up and take it.  Well,  it sad to say that the antagonist is so powerful and it seems that we have shepherded in some piteous void in our connectedness.  From brothers telling on brother all the way up to brothers lying to the world on behalf the white man's intentions.  Too bad in 2011 we may be bound to invade another land of color with the same hubris that brought slavery and indignation to America.  The good news is that real brothers with real boldness are speaking truth to power Checkout The Black Agenda Report,etc.)--and, I'm not talking about those sponsored pundits who appear on Fox et al.  Children from one parent homes are still dreaming.  Those living with HIV are still hoping.  Those recovering from drugs are not giving up.  The unemployed are still believing.  Brothers are still praying.  There are some, indeed, who have been elected to help us who are making difficult decisions. Some preachers are still teaching love and caring versus greed and materialism.  In 2010, more brothers who have made it, like a Danny Glover (Glover is calling on Oscar nominees and others in the film industry to not wear Hugo Boss suits), are giving back and are practicing progressive activism that help to change people lives, their conditions, and their hopelessness.  Yes there are many who are sacrificing to make the world a better place for all.  They hate me more (so!)



But as 2010 leaves and 2011comes in, I want to send a shout out to the many beautiful brothers who have touched the lives of so many in 2010.  I would be remiss to not remember my baby brother.  But I call on all  brothers to connect to the powerful of oneness in 2011.  Don't be discouraged, stay strong and stand tall.  Ask God to Increase Your Territory (Bless Me: Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers). If you failed down in 2010, get back up in 2011.  Amen.  There's a whole world waiting to be conquered and blessed!

Now, my lyrics dedicated to all the brothers in the world and those standing around:

Loving My America


Love America, yeah,yeah,yeah
Don't Hurt America, no, no, no
It's yours brother, it's mine, too
Don't you love the Constitution and its land? (yeah)
So speak up black brother, don't lose your rights
Don't you love the Constitution? (yeah)
So stand up brother, express self
I say ya, don't you love the Constitution
So fight for right, and your mother,
Your women, children and daddy too
Love America, yeah, yeah, yeah
America protects its own,yeah, yeah, yeah
Read the Constitution, yea, yea, yea
I'm no monkey, I'm no fool
No animal, no slave
Cuz, I'm just an American, just like you.
copyright 2010