“Racism still alive, they just be concealin’ it”
– Kanye West on “Never Let Me Down“
Coming together. It can mean different things to different people. For some, it might be about joining forces or holding hands to get on the same page. For others, it might be about developing plans and building towards them until they come to fruition. To me though, it’s both….and I believe by doing the former, we can do the latter.
What’s up my peoples? Welcome to the December 2015 Opinions Column. For those that’re new to the site, this is the sole spot where I talk about anything and everything going on in my head. For those that’re returning, you already know how we does. While I’ve spent the last few entries talking about how busy life is, I won’t get into all that this month (maybe I will, who knows). I do wanna talk about what I’ve been feeling lately….about coming together and why I feel like it’s more important than ever.
I can’t help but look around and see how divided we are, especially here in the US. With every news story, there’s so much hate towards each other that it sometimes becomes numbing. Look, don’t get me wrong…if it’s in jest and we’re just clowning, then I’m on board. But when it gets disrespectful to downright hateful, it’s something else. And real talk, I’ve been seeing so much of it lately. It feels more divided than ever and I’m having a hard time understanding why. What changed, especially in recent years, that it’s gotten like this? Maybe it just wasn’t reported enough or maybe it’s always been like this and social media has helped to high beam it. All I know is, it’s sickening.
Example 1. Look at how divided people are towards race. I mean, STILL divided. With every black youth that’s been killed in recent months, I’ve read some of THE most racist comments from people. From “they deserved it” to “they shouldn’t have talked like that to the police,” it’s crazy. Now listen, I understand the other side. I understand that cops have the authority and you should try to fall back, even when you’re in the right. It’s wack but that’s a whole ‘nother topic. However, talking back to the police or committing some other petty misdemeanor doesn’t mean the penalty should be death. Yes, if someone does a crime they should do the time. But if someone does a less severe crime that doesn’t deserve death, then why does it keep happening? And why are so many people so oblivious towards that concept? I’m struggling to understand why people feel like this and how things can change. And with social media giving everyone a voice nowadays, I’m witnessing the disgusting sentiments more and more. I see people express their heartlessness so often that it’s difficult to understand.
Example 2. Look at all the hate that Muslims have been receiving, especially in the light of the recent Paris attacks. It’s extremely tragic and it bears heavy on me because I was just there last year. With this incident though, we have to remind ourselves that the actions of a few don’t dictate the actions of the majority. I have a ton of Muslim friends and they’re loving, peaceful, cool ass people. So if you’re going around claiming that they’re all evil or that they need to go back to their country (which country is that by the way?), then you’re ignorant. And look, ignorance is not a bad thing…it just means you’re not in the know or simply underexposed. And, it also means that you’ve been misled by dishonest journalism that cares more about ratings and ad revenue than they do about bringing people together. But people like that still have an opportunity to educate themselves and get familiar with the truth. Regardless, the current climate is quite alarming and I hope that things change.
I could go on and on with examples but I won’t. Instead, I want to use this forum to remind readers that we’re all not so different. If you can look past the differences, you’ll realize we’re more alike than you think. Regardless of race or religion, we’re all in the same struggle and we all have the same goals and aspirations. We all share the same fears and stay up at night worrying about the same things. We’re all humans. So regardless of how someone looks or who someone prays to…let’s start acting like we’re the human family and show love to one another. It’s real man.
On a lighter note, I want to wish everyone happy holidays. I’ll be busy planning a wedding, spending time with the family, recording music, shooting a new music video, and hopefully powering up my Nintendo this holiday season. Sounds like a fun and busy time. Can’t wait! I’ll also be posting a Year-in-Review (as I always do every December) where I’ll talk about all the highlights I’ve had throughout the year.
And with that said, thanks for reading y’all. Stay up, stay safe, and hold ya head. Ajaxxx signing out, peace!
If we come together, it’ll all come together…
Photo credits:
integralchurch.wordpress.com
time.com
cairflorida.org
First, if the woman in one of your photos had the slightest respect for America, she wouldn’t desicrate our flag by wrapping it around her effin head. Second, your suggestion that islamist terrorism is the “actions of a few” is belied by the size of Daesh alone. They are estimated to be 35,000 strong and slaughtering their way across the Syrian/Iraqi landscape. Thousands of terrorist acts are committed every year by many thousands of jihadists. Those who are truly few are the muslims willing to speak out against this barbarism and those who commit it. Unfortunately, those who do never seem to find a friend in the Obama administration. He is real good to the muslim brotherhood, though.
This article went way over your head.