VAN JONES ON MY MIND, DAMMIT

I triple dog dare 45 to attend a funeral for nine (yes nine) victims of a race-driven mass murder inside a Charleston, South Carolina church. I want him to stand at the pulpit of Mother Emmanuel and speak from his heart to a child or wife or sister wrapped in misery. I dare 45 to speak from his heart about a Mosque being fire-bombed or two innocent Indian people being terrorized for being from another country or a Jewish cemetery being vandalized .... 

Then, after speaking from his heart, I wanna feel 45 so moved to solo on an acapella opening of Amazing Grace. I want a deacon, also moved by the spirit, to get his back and exhort, "take yo' time" ... as the entire congregation stands and sings in unison. Then, and ONLY then, can we can talk about the first two vocabulary letters in the word, "Presidential."

Rather than analyze the content of 45's TelePrompTer lip sync, Van Jones got caught up in theatrics and (of) low expectations. Wrong on so many levels. Reading is NOT an accomplishment and every line is not an applause line. How could one person not shout, "YOU LIE!"? - Mark Lassiter

WHEN HOUSE MUSIC REJECTED FEAR FOR FREEDOM TO DANCE

Part of the phenomenon of House Music in the early and mid 1980's within the club sense, was the devastation of AIDS within Urban Communities. It was in the false narrative of what AIDS was, the exploitation of images it created, the unknown, numbers of Deaths that created a fear within communities and the faces associated with AIDS changed the perception of the club scene. Including dancing. The idea of dancing "with" someone changed into dancing "on" someone and if you did that, you were going to potentially die. This on an intrinsic level deconstructed the "sharing of energy" that was at the heart and soul of House Music; the foundation of its Spirit and Spirituality and Afro-Centric expression. Those that over came the desire to separate and stayed true to the music and culture, the words and essence, maintained House Music's core values and survived the devastation both socially and physically. They became the guardsmen and gatekeepers of the music both past and present. Music such as RAP and HipHop began to embrace the separation during this time and the divisions within the Music Industry as well as the fear that came with marginalizing people by expression with AIDS and Homosexuals overall, the music reflected this in culture, interactions and attitude. The Music Industry embraced that separation as did RAP and HipHop (with a few exceptions) the fear and hate within its Art while House Music rejected it outright.

On the level of Price Points and Investment, it was in the best interest of the Music Industry to fuel and fan the flames of fear in HipHop and RAP because it was easier to control and misdirect this agenda into profit. Not so much with House Music. The message remained consistent thus its absence of fear allowing for it to be free of control and continue to evolve into its inner and existentialist connection to it fans. It was in essence, allowed free will to stay pure.

Portfolio of an African-American Day Parade

A recent project of intimate and personal photos taken at Harlem's African-American Day Parade 2016

 

TRIALS OF THE INTELLECTUAL ORGAN

As much as I try, my whole day had been completely thrown off. Those that know me, have known me as a child, to teenager, young adult, mature adult and now emerging into my years as an Elder know .... the one thing you do not do is attack or compromise my Intellect or my Character. I can allow for other affronts but those two things, I have zero tolerance for. I have walked away from "once in a lifetime" opportunities just because the INTEGRITY of my Character would have been in question and my parents have in "life" and in their "death" have made sure that this be my place in the Universe. Character and Integrity. Anyone that has followed me just on Social Media alone knows that my very purpose on it is to promote Character, Integrity, Responsibility and Accountability. And although others may not agree with me, I allow for myself to let people speak and be who they are.

My character was molded to be "unmovable" and "unshakable". You know where I stand and I stand with honor and dignity. When I talk about it, my passion can overcome my emotional state, which is why I don't do it Publicly or you'll see me become a blubbering idiot. You'll know that from my presence I will do the RIGHT thing, no compromise. This you would know and do know if you know me; be it friend, enemy or associate. That being said .... I was accused of Theft and Plagiarism and obviously from someone that "thought" they knew me. This person actually called me on the phone and accused me that my own crafted words, thoughts, philosophy and writings were stolen and manufactured by someone else. That all my nearly 40 years of personal, academic, professional and living philosophy to an area of expertise and my Career was lifted as if all that I am was sub par, low and needing of their words. That my personal skills as an intellectual and creative writer needed "borrowing". That in my HALF CENTURY PLUS years of existence on this Planet, one which I have circumvented in the pursuit of knowledge, needed hacking from someone else. I was accused of quoting and referencing myself as "stealing" and "copping" of another person .... which was them. CLEARLY ... this person does and did not know me, my background, my character, my integrity or the influence my presence have played in the World and the people that live on it. And yet, hours later, I still can't shake the negative energy that has come from the event.

I called my Mentor ... a person far wiser and experienced with life than I. He listened to my words and my anxiety over this and after about an hour of complete silence and patience and responded, "Do you need this person's approval or acknowledgement to be an intellectual or to continue to grow and expand your talents?" I said, "No." And my Mentor simply said, "Then Fuck 'em. Let's move forward and continue to build and improve our community that needs you more and in your RIGHT MIND. This is and will be what you will be engaged with as you make your mark upon this Planet. What you do ripples out. Some waves come back strong, some weak and some not at all. You are too intelligent not to know this. Why? Because you are a solution".

PRINCE IN A DAY

What happens when a community decides to throw a Birthday Party for someone who will only be there in spirit.