Kanye West: A Study in Fearlessness, Creative Ambition, and Egomania

You remember the kid from Chicago that Dame and Jay found to produce for the rest of the Roc? The one back in the studio right after a car accident with his jaw half wired shut? The one striving to be successful rapping because everyone said he could only ever make it as a producer? Yeah, that's the Kanye West we fell in love with. If you haven't noticed, that kid is hard to recognize in the borderline 2013 version by the same name. He's a deliberate attention whore - in a relationship with a beautiful but talent-less attention whore famous for her sex life - who's wearing Confederate flags, calling himself a God, and vocally challenging everyone from fashion moguls to the Obamas. He seems constantly upset and at times seems to be losing his grip on reality. I never thought I'd say this: but I'm starting to understand him. Not saying I agree with him, or can even vouch for all of his bullshit, but I think I get it. He's acting out in a combination of anger and envy for those who possess the true power and freedom he wants; I read an interesting article referring to this as a Frantz Fanon complex (here's the article, http://ourlegaci.com/2013/12/02/kanyes-frantz-fanon-complex/). Just the way producing was not enough for him when he wanted to rap, hip hop culture itself is not enough for Kanye now. His experimental creativity agency DONDA, named for his deceased mother, is an embodiment of his desire to be an all-around creative genius without bounds;  we're talking music, fashion, art, cinema, marketing, technology, the works. He states that his calling is to leave a creative imprint on the world as significant as that of Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, or Michelangelo. He also thinks Kim Khardashian is the new Marilyn Monroe. That being said, he's on a crusade to increase his global profile to force the hand of those - especially in the fashion and footwear industries - who he believes seek to pigeonhole and marginalize his influence because they can't control him. He doesn't want to be Jay-Z or Russell Simmons running "urban" clothing labels, he wants to be the neo-Marc Jacobs or Ralph Lauren with the power to sell anywhere to anyone at any price as he feels. He's gotten his feet wet in the industry (designing shoes and clothes) just enough to encounter the glass ceiling stopping him from. His focus has switched to getting as much attention, money, and power as he can attain so that no one can ever deny him ANYTHING ever again. Hell, he doesn't care what anything thinks or listen to anyone (except Jay-Z sometimes) now, but he seeks the power that billionaires (or maybe secret societies) possess so that he can bring any idea of his to fruition without needing anyone. Even as rich and fearless as he is, he's already lost $13 million and can't afford to keep misfiring without backers. So to get there, he's frequently pushing whatever bounds exist to stay in the spotlight even when he's not making music; because his relevance is powerful. But that's where it can go off track. It goes as blasphemous as trying to make Confederate flags fashionable or bringing Jesus out on stage. Or something as fearless as wearing women's clothing or giving an album cover vile cover art of his darkest fantasy. Or as ego-maniacal and brash as taking to radio waves calling for fashion protests of those who denied him meetings to "stifle his influence" and claiming he and Kim should be getting all the fashion-related attention the Obamas get. I think he frequently misfires and goes way overboard. How the fuck you really gonna put Kim and Michelle Obama in the same sentence? Michelle is the first lady while the first time I saw Kim it's because she was just the pretty girl spit-shining Ray J's dick on a sextape. Oh word, people are supposed to get over their feeling towards the Confederate flag because you made a song called "New Slaves" and said it's ok? Really nigga?  But rather than dismissing him as a lunatic, I'm trying to see the bigger picture of what he's trying to achieve. He's a dreamer with all the passion imaginable to chase it and I"ll always admire that. He just has to refine his technique. For the record, I hope he creates the imprint he seeks to, I'd love to see what come out of it.

Do Better: Your Debt to the King

I know the title is confusing, keep reading; it will make sense. Yesterday, January 21, 2013 was Obama's second Inauguration Day. I won't besmirch the historical significance of this as this could possibly be the last time we see a Black president inaugurated; I hope not, I hope the Presidency becomes more diverse going forward (race, gender, etc), but it could also be the last. However, even bigger than that is the fact that it was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I somewhat pity all the Obama-MLK comparisons because despite his amazing achievement, the constraints of partisan politics (increasingly so due to bitterness towards Obama) limit his the pace and effectiveness of truly making his desired mark; even as President, King's shoes may be too big to fill. I honestly believe a lot of people still undervalue just how different our society would be without the Civil Rights Movement, which MLK was the face of; no disrespect to Abernathy and all those behind the scenes and even Malcolm X who had a different approach. My entire point whenever I mention this name is not to preach about what he did in his life time, it's about what's he's doing for us today. Those involved in the Movement - particularly King's nonviolent demonstrations - were willing to face arrests, physical harm, and even murder with no reciprocation to attain the opportunities that too many (be reminded, he wasn't just fighting for Black ppl, he fought for all equality) take for granted today. Even if you're slack and can't muster any initiative or motivation out of yourself or even your close support group, there's no way you should be able to look at this man and not feel some responsibility to do better for yourself. Just a generation or two ago, your ancestors didn't have the chances you have now; the institutionalized racism/sexism/other bigotry that's still present is NOTHING compared to the Jim Crow era and its immediate aftermath. You have no excuse, get that molasses out of your ass and make something of yourself. So no, I wasn't telling Obama or MLK to do better, I'm talking to everyone out there who's making excuses to themselves (too hard, takes too long, not fun, etc) not to do something with yourselves. You don't owe it to me, you don't even owe it to yourself, but you owe the ghost of the King and the rest of your ancestors who fought and died so the American Dream could be yours too. Do Better...

Real Talk: The Smoking Guns

July 20, 2012: A 24 year old masked man enters a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" and kills 12 people, wounding 50 more in a Colorado movie theater. December 11, 2012 A man walks into an Oregon mall and shoots three people before taking his own life right before police arrive. December 14, 2012 An autistic 20 year old starts shooting indiscriminately in the Newtown, CT elementary school that his mother worked at, killing 27 people including 20 small children. That may have been the last straw. Let me be clear, I was sad, I'm not anymore...I'M PISSED; A controlled pissed, but pissed nonetheless. These aren't the first school shootings by any means (Colombine, Virginia Tech, and countless others), but the shock and sadness this one causes may just be the straw that broke the camels back he it comes to changing our loose gun laws in America. As well read as I pride myself on being, I have purposely not researched or read much on the details of this incident because of the visceral sadness associated with the death of so many young children. It hit me like a ton of bricks and I'm not a parent; I could only imagine what it felt like as a parent. Two more things hit me as soon as I heard about this incident, a) This is another indication that too many guns are ending up in the hands of the wrong people, b) He just killed 27 people and noone has referred into him as a terrorist. I understand that the 2nd Amendment is virtually irreversible and is widely supported by many states and virtually every rural area. I know plenty of young people who are responsible gun owners (even some that own automatic or assault weapons); they own them, they may go to the gun range and shoot, they're around just in case of the worse but scarcely even get touched. I also know that most rural gun owners have them for the purposes of hunting or recreational shooting only and have never turned their firearms on other people. I honestly believe 90-95% of registered gun owners are not a real threat to society. The problem is that the other 5% of registered gun owners (and those who procure firearms by less legal means) are comprised of people who likely either: lead a lifestyle that increases their propensity for violence, have mental/emotional issues which increase their likeliness to "overreact" to something via firearm. Just like with insurance, law enforcement, and so many other things, the actions of the 5% make things much worse for the more responsible 95%. But rather than complaining, which won't get us anywhere, my thought process (still trying to avoid the emotion that comes with fully turning my attention to the details of this latest tragedy) immediately turns to "What can we do?". The over reactors immediately jump to "Get rid of guns in America", but I'm versed enough to realize that this isn't feasible. In rural America (which by land mass is still the majority of the country), fear that the "city slickers" will try to take their guns is a constant fear and can drive their political views and affiliations. Hell, the NRA and right wing response to this situation is "Guns aren't the problem. He was just a bad apple. If the principal of the school had had an assault rifle in his office, none of this would have happened."( I heard a similar "Arm everyone as a deterrent" from zany ass Ann Coulter in reply to Trayvon Martin's murder; SMH). If more restrictive gun legistlation is passed, their inevitable response will be "Why should I stop buying guns because of a few? I haven't broken the law." Fuck the NRA, we know they have their own reasons for advocating more guns. A friend of mine on Facebook recently very astutely compared this to saying "I'm a law abiding citizen, not a hijacker. Why can't take my knives and box cutters on the plane?". If that argument worked, I'd be at city hall tomorrow saying "I'm not a criminal, I don't want to pay the portion of my taxes that goes to funding the police force. They don't need them for me, I don't like them fuckers, and they don't like young Black men." Let me know when that shit starts to work. And this theory that everyone should be armed to prevent gun violence sounds crazy; raise your hand if gun availability seems like the answer rather than the problem. I won't lie and say I know the whole answer, but although many of my responsibly gun-owning friends won't like the fact that the late rash of violence has made me believe that non-soldiers don't need assault rifles available to them anymore. The process of acquiring a weapon should be tweaked also, maybe it should have a mental evaluation requirement as well, I'm not sure the best way to do it, but something must be done and now Obama and Biden seem to think the same. I hope they get the right people in the same room and come up with something that nudges this issue in the right direction. Feeling how I felt the day that elementary school got shot up is not an experience I was fond of and I'd guess everyone else felt the same way.

I'll only use a few sentences about the lack of terrorism profiling. I think defining who's a terrorist and who's a violent criminal gets distorted by narrowly minded regional stereotyping. I wonder if Tim McVeigh (the Oklahoma City bomber), the Unibomber, Eric Rudolph, the Virginia Tech shooter, the Dark Knight movie theater shooter, ESPECIALLY Jared Lee Lougher (He shot a politician for a political reason), would be much more often referred to as terrorist if the same actions were carried out by someone from the Middle East or Africa. When white men commit such crimes, people automatically explore the "Oh maybe he's just crazy" rather than questioning their motives. This is opposite with those from Arab or African descent, there is no regard for their mental state, their intent gets assumed as terrorism, even if the person was born and raised n the US and has no definable connections to terrorist groups. If you're premeditating and carrying out mass murder, you need to be treated like a monster; no matter what you look like. Real Talk...

Veteran's Day...and the unfortunate military genius

Happy Veteran's Day. Although I don't agree with many of the military decision making of our country over my lifetime (and before), I do truly appreciate those who put themselves in harm's way to serve our country. Also (opinions aside) I see the human sacrifice that has been made in defending our country from foreign dangers and can not think our heroes. I was raised by a father who retired as Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years in the Air Force. I also have grandfathers, uncles and other members of my family who have served in the Armed Forces. Although those in my family weren't primarily soldiers with war stories, it was enough to give me a sense of appreciation for what they do. I salute you all. Now, on a less happy note, I do feel its unfortunate that one of the most brilliant minds of recent military history had to resign his prestigious an well earned position just before Veteran's Day. General David Petraeus not only saved the War in Iraq (or at least that's the general consensus I've read), he wrote the book (literally, it's now the manual) on counterinsurgency. He figured out the social aspect of fighting a more complex and tricky enemy when most military minds were still only thinking on terms of battlefield "X"s and "O"s with no regard for the population in place. I haven't dug for all the details of his affair but this news disappointed me as I considered Obama's move to appoint Petraeus as CIA Director and moving the former CIA Director into position as Secretary of Defense was genius because our defense will have to be so intelligence based due to the different dynamic we face with terrorist groups as our main enemies rather than other formal armies. It's a good idea to make intelligence and special operations the focus and it has reaped benefits(Burn in hell, Bin Laden). However, I understand how having any "blackmail" material makes the leader of our biggest intelligence agency vulnerable in addition to a bad example to set; this isn't D-Wade leaving an unstable marriage for Gabrielle Union after all. So while I see him stepping down as admirable and possibly even the right thing to do, I just hope that a proper contingency plan is in place. I've widely heard him considered the our brightest, most influential military mind since Eisenhower. It's a shame to see him go out like this on the eve of Veteran's Day.

Do Better: Jim Crow Conservatism

Rush Limbaugh, Pat Buchanan, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly (to a lesser extent surprisingly), Ann Coulter, anyone who works for FOX News, Sarah Palin, Karl Rove...Karl Rove, each of these people make me cringe. I'm talking cringing in a different manner than my usual "I don't like politics" cringe. I'm talking about a deeper "I hope they don't believe what they're saying because it sets America back to the '30s" cringe. The previous article about election day illustrated my thought on Obama and Romney, but that's not what I'm speaking of right now. I'm speaking more broadly on the ideals of conservatism and how its base is shrinking in America. After Obama's re-election, many of the personalities mentioned earlier had similar messages to explain the disappointing (to them) results. There were common themes amongst them all: the white establishment is lo longer the majority, traditional America is no more, young people expect entitlements from the government, Latinos are only worried about amnesty and immigration, Blacks and women want to be given "stuff" by the government. They say these things with such confidence not seeing how a young, intelligent man (leave the Black out of it for now) reads between the lines to see what they're actually saying. They have singled out and badmouthed the perspectives of every demographic but one: Old...White...men; the traditional "American establishment." They have had ALL the power so long and don't see that the country has changed. They like things how they were 100 years ago when white men (whether smart, dumb, good, evil, etc) held all the country's power, achieved on the backs of the demeaned "little people" working but making virtually nothing and having no chance for upward mobility; let's just call it the Jim Crow dynamic. "Yeah, women should still make 77% of what men make; that's just good business." "These border-jumping illegals should work as cheap as the Chinese to save the jobs here; they're lucky we let them stay here." "Blacks went from being slaves to being criminals.""We don't need abortion under any circumstances because you can't get pregnant if it was truly rape, it was God's will for you to have that rapist's baby." "Gov't and gov't regulation are always the problem. Privatization is always the answer. What, you don't trust corporate America?" "We liked Bush, Obama is a retard though (courtesy of Ann Coulter)". It's 2012, these perspectives all sound remarkably backwards in today's America. We are a nation full of Immigrants, the only real Americans are Native Americans (now commonly referred to as 'Indians' since Columbus (who was not the first here by the way) missed his intended destination by 8000 miles and couldn't figure it out." Europeans showed up to a place with cultures intact and decided that this was their land to take over; and we have an entitlement problem? How do you argue you're more American than me (an "African-American")? We came on the same ship, it just so happens that you were lucky enough to be in the VIP section while my ancestors were confined like luggage inhumanely below the decks. Despite your actions, we were called 'savages', but it didn't stop you from raping our women thereby spreading previously European STDs to another population. Your plantations, your building, much of pre-Civil War America's infrastructure was ALL built on the backs of dehumanized slaves or other disenfranchised populations (see cartoon above). After the war, the same could be said of indentured servants (paid just enough to not be called a slave), then up to the present minimum wage workers. Then you have the nerve to say "You are weak, you need help prospering. We did it all by ourselves without help". That's the mind state of a place that we all knew existed but Jon Stewart finally named "Bullshit Mountain". On Bullshit Mountain, taking financial/tax loopholes and tax breaks makes you a smart business, but filing for Social Security or food stamps or disability if you qualify makes you a moocher. College is only for those who can afford to pay the tuition with a check book, which is why pell grants and scholarship programs should be slashed. Also, Viagra should be covered by health insurance but contraception should not. There are a million more examples. On the mountain, anyone who doesn't love or pray the way 'the Christian white establishment' wants you to has forfeit their right to reap the benefits of "the American Dream."  verall, what conservatives call "being principled" seems now to be holding on to previously acceptable bigotry. To be fair, I know all conservatives don't think the same. But as long as Limbaugh, Imus and others are the voices of the movement instead of Rubio, Christie, or someone who can truly explain their principles with a modern context, they will NEVER have National Appeal. Fuck all the bigotted talking heads I named at the beginning of this article. You are the reason that conservatives look like yahoos and I could never entertain the possibility of seeing things your way. America's better than than, you're not evolving with it. Do Better...

99 Problems

This is dope. Let me first admit, I was on the Nas side of the beef with Jay-Z. Although, I like Jay-Z, I think Nas is killing him on the basis of lyrical and substanceful music. I wish I could see how Jay would've turned out had he not decided to go commercial like he admitted on "Moment of Clarity". But the man's exponential explosion of wealth, power, and influence while avoiding hurtful stereotypes is remarkable. This guy has catapulted through every glass ceiling that a drug dealer turned rapper turned businessman would ever face. He got the Nets moved to Brooklyn, he's a half billionaire (plus another quarter bil from his lady), and he's got Obama brushing his shoulders off in pictures and this t-shirt is an amazing capstone to the election that just ended. I respect his hustle and business saavy. He's set the sky as the limit for musicians turned businessmen. Can't lie, he's living the American dream. I salute you sir.

Election Night for an Overjoyed Panthers Fan

Election Night 2012 was a victory for me, but not necessarily how you'd think. Although there's always trepidation when an incumbent (particularly one in polarizing and difficult economic times) is facing possible replacement, but a year ago I thought to myself "None of these clowns deserve the White House over Obama"; I'll get into the reasons why in a minute. So subconsciously I expected him to win. I can say that now but I was significantly less secure in that the last few months, especially when facing a candidate versed in saying whatever is necessary (and I mean whatever) to sway the crowd he's in front of. What had an effect on me that I didn't expect to is "The Redskins Rule." The rule is if the Redskins win their last home game before Election Day, the incumbent wins. If the Redskins lose, the challenger beats the incumbent. Since 1940, this had been correct all but one time. The Redskins lost their last home game on Sunday...to my hometown Carolina Panthers. I'm not even overly superstitious, but how would I feel if I spent Sunday cheering Cam Newton and the Panthers on to a victory that would put Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan in charge of our country? I may have been borderline suicidal. The picture above of Cam standing beside the President would have been burned like LeBron's Cavs jersey when he leave for South Beach. I like RGIII, I only cheered against him because he was playing MY team. Luckily, I don't have that dilemma today. Since many of my readers don't know me personally, let me clarify some things about my political views. I hate politics, I despise politicians in general. I think most of them were born into power and money and become politicians more to feed their egos and have their hands in those powerful decisions at the top more than to truly help those constituents at the bottom. Even those like Obama who are born from more meager beginnings and started out of a genuine desire to help people and communities can transform as they rise through levels of power and have to deal with inevitable political aspects like fund-raising and playing party lines. Presidential elections are often about selecting the lesser of two evils because politicians are somewhat required to be at least part snake charmer or double talker. But even in this political climate with my cynicism for politics, I see Obama as more morally down to Earth than most politicians and Romney as less genuine/honorable than most, which fueled my bias in this debate. How in the world do you go from Liberal as governor 10 yrs ago, to moderate as a candidate 4 yrs ago, to all out conservative now? Sounds like u're trying to roll with what will get you elected. Obama is a politician and he's far from perfect, he's made plenty of mistakes in his first term. He spent too much money trying to address issues that help the "little people" who aren't typically seen as important enough to dominate the platforms of many politicians; as you can see, they are not the ones who control the media, so rich political analyst demonize him all day instead. First time home buyer programs help ppl (including my brother). Increasing pell grants and scholarships helps ppl get better lives. Medical bills are one of the biggest causes of bankrupcy, Obamacare will help little people. The combination of Social Security and Medicare keeps many elderly peoples afloat. Also, living overseas as I did (in Muslim Southeast Asia for 1.5 years), I've seen what his election and policy have done for the international perception of America abroad. Despite all the "the US is the laughingstock of the world now." The world's perception has gone from "I hate the US, fucking violent imperialists" to "I hated Bush and Cheney, but the US is ok" with the exception of certain nit-picky and pessimistic European countries (hello, UK). He has to do something about the debt (which he's been trying for two years but can't get the GOP or rich ppl to help him out), but I remember when the country seemed to be falling into the ocean 4 yrs ago; Recovery has been slow but undeniable if you put ur partisanship aside and simply look at the results. Now, I could see why someone like Romney doesn't see things the way I do. His dad was a auto big shot and governor, his dad could write a check for his tuition to Yale. He made a fortune thought private equity (he's the real life Gordon Gekko trimming down, liquefying  outsourcing, reorganizing, etc). Since a child, he has had the best healthcare money could buy. He went to the best private schools and probably doesn't know where the public schools are even located. He makes $20 mil a year and hides enough to avoid paying average taxes, he doesn't need anyone's help on anything. He's a man of balance sheets and instant results who "enjoys firing people" who don't deliver instantly and think 47% of Americans can't take responsibility for anything. His budget...well, his budget is hardly defined but coincides with Paul's Ryan's scary budget. How can I expect him to understand how detrimental his cuts to public education, Medicare & Social Security, college assistance, planned parenthood programs, and more would do to those who didn't come from the background he came from? When I see a bill saying women should only make 77% of what men do to work the same job, I see some outdated backwards hypocrisy; he sees an opportunity to save 23% on their salaries, which aids company profit. I have no doubt that if he became president, he would do things that would help the country's "balance sheet" (reduced gov't spending, decreasing deficit) but just as with big corporations, it almost always happens at the expense of the little people. Who gets fired first, despite the fact that they didn't make the bad decisions that led to reduced profit? Whose benefits get cut first when those at the top decide it's too costly? He'll find a way to keep the tax cuts on the rich though, so he can keep paying a third what I do on my taxes. He'll keep powering our military industrial complex too. The little ppl are consistently deemed expendable and unimportant by many corporate tycoons; which is why corporate tycoons are the only ppl I distrust more than politicians. That's the world Romney came from and he was probably a great businessman which I can't take away. But I don't elect businessmen, I have a vote for president. And let's not even talk about how he pissed off allies and others alike at every stop on his world foreign policy tour. How do you put ur foot in your mouth in every country when it's not even a confrontational visit? The entire point of your trip is to prove you can handle it, you should be on your best behavior. So, even through mistakes, adversity, crisis and everything else, I believe Obama has something a President needs, which many politicians lack, and which is a sin in corporate power circles -- a moral compass. That's why I'm riding with him, flaws, missteps and all. So before anyone starts chattering about how I'm just another young Black male voting for Obama because he's Black, shut the fuck up and read this before you try to insult my intelligence. Your disrespect will not be tolerated. I know "I've Been Called Worse" is the title of my blog but what thing I don't tolerate being called is ignorant...

I Got A Bad Feelling: Part I, Man Made

I'm got a bad feeling about this. In the past year, the world is changing in a way that I don’t like at all. This is one of those years that countries are addicted to unrest and revolution; we’ve already seen all throughout the Middle East including Egypt (pictured), Bahrain, Iran, Libya, and more. Even Canada and England have protested their dissatisfaction with the recent actions of their countries’ governments. Revolution is not always a bad thing (especially places like Egypt and Libya where one man who rose to power by force has been in place for years and added more to their personal wealth than the well-being of their nations) but when the pro-government forces start slaughtering their own people to quell the rebellion, it’s an issue. I will give America credit letting it’s revolt-supporting opinion be forcefully known but not acting militarily. Even in Libya, where things got hands on (drawing widespread criticism as a show of double standard), the US didn’t get its hands too dirty before they handed things over to the UN and European countries. I know we have been seen as obligated to play police to the world, but we can’t afford another full-scale war in an unstable Middle East; especially against a country that never actually attacked America or its forces. As far as the criticisms, I don’t put much credence into the opinions of countries that do a lot of talking and never take action, period. I just hope whenever things are stable, we might actually have an ally or two in that region. But I still wouldn’t bet on it though. Just because they don’t want Mubarak of Quaddafi doesn’t mean they want democracy forced onto them unfortunately; especially by us and the anti-Muslim reputation that precedes us everywhere we go. Furthermore, the Ivory Coast is in the midst of a bloody civil fighting and unrest (pictured) that doesn’t seem to have a quick resolution. All of this comes as the world was recently on the brink of a potentially nuclear war with North Korea and South Korea (backed by the US and other Western powers) playing a game of “My dick is bigger than yours.” It didn’t gain the world’s captivity as much as the Cuban missile crisis in the 1960’s but make no mistakw, North Korea is not someone I would like to see at war with anyone right now. They’re the little guy at the world’s car table with a nuclear ace or two in its hand and an attitude forged on making a splash more than actually winning the game. But those are just the man-made travesties of the moment. That doesn’t scare me nearly as much and the disgruntled nature of Mother Nature. This blog is up next...

2009 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Barack Obama

It was announced today that President Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. For an international body to award him such a prestigious honor says a lot. It shows me that on the international scene, the civilized world truly does respect and admire the man's intentions on how he is working to change diplomacy. And for the Black community, it will inevitably be compared and mentioned in conversation with Martin Luther King Jr winning the award in 1963, which brings joy about how far the race has progressed. But at the same time, I can't help but think, don't you have to wait til he puts his intentions in the done column first? I have tremendous confidence that Obama truly does plan on reforming health care, improving education, and make progress on our energy dependencies. Similarly, I also believe that his globally diplomatic issues truly do include closing Guantanamo Bay, getting soldiers home from Iraq, and trying to make progress towards co-existence between the Israelis and Palestinians. However, he hasn't done it yet. I'm only speculating from a non-politician's perspective, but I believe there is an amazing amount of red tape that he is dealing with to get these things done. A million small considerations and obstacles that we wouldn't think were necessary. I'm getting tired of Congress finding reasons to shoot down his health care reform and I don't deal with it every day, so I know it's dominating his time and efforts. Part of the reason I do not like politics is all the extra (trying to coerce allies, trade support on issues, etc.) that has to be done to get meaningful work finished. These things don't happen in any timely fashion and everything is harder than it looks. So, I'm still firmly in Obama's corner and I believe that he will do as much to make good on his campaign promises as Congress and whoever else allows him to. But give the man a chance to do it. He's already become a very polarizing figure, people either love him and what he is trying to do, or they hate him and use hyperbolic insults to paint him as a phony. So although he must be honored to win such an award, he probably understands that this adds even more pressure to make sure that the things he advertised happen. He's gotten the award off effort to this point. In the end, with a president, effort means a lot, but he will ultimately be judged by what ACTUALLY gets done rather than what he tries to get done.

I think if the late MLK could talk to Obama about this award, he would say "Congratulations. Take the award in stride, but don't ever take your eyes off the prize. Never take anything for granted. This opportunity will mean little for our people if you do not achieve what you said you would and what you are capable of." I agree. I would not at all call the award undeserved the way many have in articles today, I'd call it premature. I'm hopeful that his body of work will warrant more Nobel Prizes when he pushes things all the way through. He should keep working, and I'ma just keep hoping.....

Do Better: Ghetto Obama Tributes

This is the first of a series called "Do Better" dedicated to highlighting things that embody negative stereotypes about the Black community and we just need to rise above and conduct ourselves better than. Today's session is about Obama tributes. I was just excited as everyone else when Obama, our first Black (well half) President was elected. It was a tremendous symbol of progress and desire for change. However, since that time, I have seen many tributes, many by people who I honestly believe don't know his politics and may not have showed up to the polls to vote for him, that despite their creativity have a distinctly ghetto aura. Although I appreciate the admiration and support, he deserves better. Let's get to it...

Exhibit A, matching Michelle and Barack nail jobs. Although it is a display of talent and most likely a masterpiece for the Korean woman (racist, I know) in the nail salon that performed it, especially the curly pinky nail, this was probably immediately a Facebook profile picture and was the highlight of someone's week. I do not believe in an Obama tribute if you can not go to a respectable job and perform any meaningful tasks for fear of messing it up. Do Better...

Exhibit B, Obama Fried Chicken Franchise. In a NYC neighborhood where you would probably find restaurants such as Tony's NY Style Pizza or similar names, here stand a chicken spot named as if Barack himself is in the back manning Fryer 3 to make the best fried chicken in the area. This is probably a Black owned business and the owners probably worked hard to open this venue; they deserve their own names on their establishment and I doubt this act would touch Obama deep down in his soul if he saw it. White people already cling to the stereotype (unfortunately very true) that Black people go crazy for fried chicken. I do not condone them seeing any images putting the president and this stereotypical vision together. Do Better...

Exhibit C, a chest tattoo of Obama on a $100 bill. I cringe when I think about how much this guy probably paid for this tattoo. Once again, I commend him for his creativity and not going to the parlor and picking some over-used design from the cliche tattoo book ("Only God Can Judge Me", etc). However, this seemed like more of an attempt to have the most innovative tattoo around more than an actual act of homage to our new national leader. When he goes to the local smoke-filled club and takes his shirt off to the smooth lyrics of Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman, it probably catches the attention of every loose woman in eyeshot boosting his ego. However, as the picture says, I doubt Obama would approve of this tattoo. Do Better...

Exhibit D, Obama Haircuts Complete with colored dye and all. Once again, this is a tremendous display of hair cutting talent and I have no problem admitting that. However, once again, I believe this was meant more as an opportunity to show up the other kids at school who thought they were special with the tapered fro-hawk and side scalp designs. It probably worked and thoroughly impressed the chick sitting behind them in science class. However, I need proof that they are familiar with the man's politics before I can give them credit for a display of admiration which will only last a few weeks. Until such proof has been brought forward, Do Better...

Exhibit E, Obama graffiti complete with four finger ring and Jordan jersey. Let me start by saying that I am a personal admirer of artistic graffiti and therefore completely admire the talent required for this mural. However, a four-finger ring?? Who is he Radio Raheem from Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing"? Does he roll with Big Daddy Kane or those guys from Morehouse who are trying to bring all the styles from the '80s back? I don't feel it's a good look for the president. And a Jordan jersey? I see the Chicago connection and admiration for both as huge figures to the area. However, no athlete, no matter how great should warrant THE PRESIDENT needing to wear their jersey. It would probably be more appropriate to show Jordan wearing an Obama t-shirt to display his admiration. So, despite the fact that I'd like to meet the artist and see more of his work, he might need to leave Obama out of it unless he gives a more thoughtful tribute. Do Better...Exhibit F, a snow bunny (racist, I know) wearing an "Obama for yo' Mama" t-shirt. I'm not sure exactly what to think about this shirt. I know white people enjoy simple t-shirts with witty phrases; the "Jesus is my homeboy" movement. And this may not have been intended with any disrespect toward the man. However, just as I believe Jesus does, I feel like Obama deserves a little more. Make a tribute into a tribute rather than a gimmicky (yet catchy) t-shirt gag. Do Better Blanquita...

STOP STARING AND THE BREASTS AND LOOK AT THE LEFT THIGH SO I CAN BEGIN THIS DISCUSSION. I am not giving this an exhibit letter because this was chosen for a different reason, I rather like this tribute and thought it was worth honoring for a few reasons. First, it is artistically painted on a beautiful naked Brazilian woman leading the parade at one of the best events in the world, Carnivale. DUHH!!! But beyond the obvious, seeing a display like this at the forefront of a huge international event, it displays the global respect for Obama and the acknowledgment of an opportunity to change US routines that have turned much of the world against us. It is a beautiful symbol of hope displays from another continent. Plus, I envy the artist.

All-in-all the exhibits display a tendency the Black community, which I love with all my heart and also hate with a passion simultaneously, to use an national highly covered issue, such as a Black President or the death of Michael Jackson, as an excuse to make tributes in ways that perpetuate stereotypes of us being ghetto or expending time and money on flashy, temporary attention catchers (I certainly hope I don't see Obama rims on cars). Although I don't believe the intentions to be detrimental in these exhibits, I think they need to step the game up just a little bit more to make it appropriate and something they can truly be proud of.
So, I commend the creativity and appreciate the admiration. But, Do Better...