How to honor Martin's Legacy

For a man to give his life to stop the violence against black people, to ensure they have equal rights in jobs and education. Who are we to fail his legacy.
The past year in 2009 has been tragic for the black community. More of our
black men are killing one another across this country that may eclipse the present
wars our country is presently fighting. More black men and women are pouring into county, state, and federally run prisons that ever could be estimated.

So where are we to begin as we reflect on our past history of discrimination in this country? I would kindly suggest that we begin at home with our own family. Make a personal commitment to yourself and your children. This commitment will consist of a promise to ensure that you will invest into there happiness, education, and spiritual growth.

Time is a important part of this commitment because where we feel that hard work and financial provision should suffice for our absence, it most of the time does not.
Our children feel that there is a void in their lives and sometime need us there physically and emotionally to provide guidance.

Find a child, teen, or young adult to mentor. Way before our recession there has always been obstacles for those around us to conquer. Sometimes our experience can help not only those closest to us but those who move in and out of our lives daily.

This help you, your community and someone else. Communication is one of the truest form of Nation Building which is something our community needs.

In 2010 our children and community will need a lot of help to steer our children toward normalcy. I suggest and encourage so of our most intelligent and fashionable
women to formulate weekend clubs for girls that will deal with conversations on relationships, fashion, careers, and education.

Men should organize weekend mentoring sessions that will cover parenting, education,
impulse control, anger management, and entrepreneurship.

This can be the personal and community milestone to strive for. If feel that this can be a hard task for one person to take on by themselves so I encourage that you form a group of at least 5 adult to help take on this challenge with you.

In the great words of "Gil Scott Heron" We all may not be able to do everything but each of us can do something"

Bitter by Osay (Speak EZ N2 The Blu)

In The Killing Feilds Of America

From Speak EZ N2 The Blu

Wiped Away Ode to Katrina Victims (push play)

Love and Poetry

Sometimes I didn't know who I loved more my self or my poetry. The words that come to me are as satisfying as sex. Especially when you read it for the first time after it is completed. When you memorize it for a performance and nail it the feeling is indescribable. The problem with this for me was sometimes I forsaked everything and everyone around me for the love of lyrics.

Poetry brings beauty into your life if you appreciate it and share it for the right reasons. People came in and out of my life to share this beauty but in this I can say that I lost something. The connection with those closest to me was strangled and stifled because I loved the lyrics and the lifestyle of performing.

How can something you love cause you any pain? I guess this question is asked on numerous occasions by numerous people for numerous reasons. But I have learned that my choices dictates how effective my love is and how effective I am in showing it.

The problem was poetry was a vehicle to hide insecurities and uncertainties. A way to build up an artificial life while running away from the one I had to live daily.

The realization of this made me concious of my interaction and the distractions that can take me off course in becoming the man I want to be to my family, friends, and to myself.

University Of Pennsylvania (a creative mind set)

Maurice always had something positive and proactive going on in and for the community. In 1991 he hosted and moderated a Black Man conference at the University of Pennsylvania for 5 days. This conference consited of poety, music, plays, and real discussion on issues that had been plaquing our community. One such topic was moderated and lead by myself entitled " Are Black Cops Our Friends." The discussion covered the role of Black officer within our community, The lack of involment, and the mind set of being the ultimate authority instead of a servant to our community.

The discussion began with the question, Are Black Cops Our Friends'? There was a resounding yell of no! from the crowd and a constructive discussion began.
The Philadelphia Police does not and has not operated from an holistic approach in our community. Most times when our children see them operate in our community it is from seeing them responding to a disturbance, a murder, being abusive toward a citizen, or moving young men from one corner to another.

This has spawned much tension between the community and the department.
Using a holistic approach by having these officers participate in programs such as little leauge football, baseball, or basketball can have a more positive effect on the community and assist in the mentorship of young children.

Although this would not be a cure all it would lend more credibility to the police department becoming a intricate part of the community.

Pam Africa was in the audience from the (MOVE) organization who had a terrible ordeal with Mayors Frank Rizzo and Wildon Goode. Pam stated that they were constantly harrassed and confronted by Philadelphia Police so much that the were brutally attack by the police, shot at and ultimately having their house and neighborhood blown up with C-4 killing members in the house and firing up them as they attempted to leave the burning building. This was truly a heart wrenching story
delivered by her.

The discussion of Rodney king and personal stories rang through the room attempting to come up with solution that would make our experience with police better.

After the discussion we her the sounds of congas in the hall as we segwayed to the next discussion or performance. This was a lesson in true community service and organizing.

A Evening With A Master Griot

On September 6th I went to the Tin angel at Sarranos on 2nd street in Philadelphia to see on of the most influential musican/poet in my life time. Gil Scott Heron,
a true blast from the past and word revolutionary. Just like the Last Poets he brought words and music laced with social commentary to the masses of the black community and they loved him for it. A modern day moses of his day he came to Philly to share his classic's Winter in America, In the Bottle, The Revolution will not be televised, and losing Detroit. I got a chance to shake the hand of this legend, meet him face to face and to look into the soul of a man with so much insight of the world around him. I fashioned a lot of my music to his style of writing and delivery
due to listening to his Albums over and over again. Although his life has been peppered with troubles, he has always found a way to over come his demons and
sing about it.