Playing For Change: Song Around the World

Enjoy

A Great Moment in time

I used to envy those who were of age in the 60's; when times were soaked with the sweat of resistance.The beauty of folks standing up, sitting-in, and falling to theirs knees both literally and figuratively for civil rights fascinated me, and I wished that I was apart of it all.

Then I wished I was part of the 70's era when "Black is Beautiful" and "Black Power" were the mantras of the masses. I yearned to be alive when folks rocked their Dashiki's afros and corn rows, and raised black fists to the sky in defiance to anyone who attempted to stop them from rising. Oh I wished I were there for it all,I daydreamed about it.

But I am an 80's baby, born and raised in the inner city jungle. The good ole 80's, where the constant blows of socio-economic and racial injustice left us numb inactive and politically dead. The residue of resistance took root in hip hop and hope sprang forth, that is until we put its control in the hands of the corporate elite, who have steered the artform completely away from the political.

It's as if we've been sleep walking through the past two decades, accepting more and fighting less. It's like someone pulled out a gigantic remote and silenced us all. Iraq War...Mute, No child left behind... Mute, Hurricane Katrina...Mute.

Now I am sensing a shift, a revival,an explosion that is rising within us all. This is the beginning of a new Era. Now we are yelling fighting watching and MAKING CHANGES. We are igniting and organizing, we are becoming a movement. In the process,We ELECTED SENATOR BARACK OBAMA AS THE PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES and HAVE MADE THIS A GREAT MOMENT IN TIME. So I know longer long to live in the past, the present is good enough for me!I smell the movement when I open my windows, I taste it, I hear it. Let's keep it going because we have alot of work to do, and we have to make up for lost time. :)

There's Hope (smile everybody)

So this is my current theme song. I love it because it sings to my soul. To anyone out there that's going through, or just tired of our present conditions. Know that there is Hope, for today, tomorrow, and forevermore! More importantly, know that the change dwells within you! Be the change you wish to see in the World. Because of YOU, there is HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An Ode to the Black Man

This is for the Black Man in America and abroad. This is my love letter to you, In the midst of the hatred you receive from outsiders and people who look exactly like you, and stereotypical media portrayals that leave you looking more like the devil incarnate than the divine gift I know you to be. I love you for sooo many reasons, and just in case you've never been told before, allow me to tell you why.

I am nothing without you, my life dependant upon your spirit mixed with my mother's, you are my father and the father of civilizations. Your hands have built cities and caressed your children.

You are humanity's diamond, hard, strong, and beautiful. The centuries of struggle have transformed you into a specimen quite like no other. Diamonds are girl's best friend and you, my brotha, are my light; resilient, radiant, luminous. Your spirit, heart, and soul blings; the gold teeth and chains are unnecessary. Your smile is the moon's glow, always with me in my darkest hour. There's a fire in your eyes burning with the promise of revolution. You are Martin, Malcolm, Marcus, Mandela!

Don't be fooled by history books which describe you in terms of prison numbers, and limit your potential to that of a hoodlum, addict, dead beat or criminal. You belong not in the ghetto but at the top of the world,take your place! Anything less is beneath you. And I know life has thrown you some powerful blows but you have overcome them with the determination of a King. You can do anything, Genocide,War slavery, middle passages, racism, Apartheid,Colonialism, disease, and poverty have all fallen on your shoulders, no weapon formed against you has ever prospered and never will.

I love everything about you, your creativity makes you a masterpiece money can't buy, Auction blocks underated your abilities; and although popular culture either steals your artforms or deem them dead, your skills are incredible. You are the epitome of perseverance and the reflection of the power of God. I salute you, I adore you, I love you! Be encouraged black brotha.