How I Hurt The Community?

 

As stated before, I've started following Mr. Sotomayor and aside from his rants, this has got to be the realest segment he's ever done. The gist of this commentary is this: If you don't like what Tommy speaks about, DON'T LISTEN! Simple huh? You would think so but some people like his videos and comment just to make him look bad. You have people making fake accounts just to clown Tommy. If you don't like someone, why go through the trouble of making an account just to state your dislike? It's nonsensical. Tommy's haters are giving him more fame, that's the way I see it. He said it himself, "Stop following my page if you don't like what I say. If I'm not doing something you want or like, YOU DO IT!" It's a classic move: Gaining fame off someone else's name. What Tommy does is challenge societal norms he has issues with and I can respect that. Yes, he does generalize at times (we all do) BUT...when you listen to what he has to say, he makes a lot of sense. I will continue posting his videos on my page and giving my own views on the subject matter. That's the beauty of America, if you don't like what someone else is doing or saying, you have your own voice. Put yours out there and gain a fanbase. Problem Solved.

Rapper Rick Ross Caught In Drive By Shooting!

 

The hottest story in the media is the attempted murder of rapper Rick Ross. I don't wish death on NOBODY and I pray that Ross gets some shooters on his team that'll watch his back. At the same time, Ross had it coming because for one thing, he talks about a life he never lived. When you rap about the streets, you better be credible because there are real soldiers that take the thug life seriously. Granted, all rappers probably never lived the street life but I'm sure nobody has tried to take them out. Ross needs to lay low for a while but knowing Ross, he's not going to let fear creep in his heart. I respect Ross for making it out of the hood and giving back. Not many brothers are blessed enough to leave the hood. It is my understanding that Gangster Disciples are upset at Ross for mentioning Larry Hoover and are demanding he cut them a check. I'm glad the shooters missed, but next time they might not. My thing is, if the gunmen aren't caught quickly, they will try to finish the job.

Coach Carter

Coach Carter is a GREAT movie. Every time this movie comes on, I see it because to see those young boys evolve into responsible young men is awesome. It's based on a true story about real life coach Ken Carter benching his team for poor academic results. His rationale was he wanted students to understand there's more to life than basketball. At first, the students rebelled against him but throughout the movie, they respected Coach Carter because he didn't waiver in his conviction. During the school board hearing where parents and faculty had to vote on whether to end the lockout, Carter did have two people backing him, but the others voted to end the lockout. When he said, "If you vote to end the lockout, you don't have to fire me; I Quit!" It takes guts to stand behind your beliefs even if you may have to walk out. Not many people have that strong conviction. This movie is indicative of many inner-city communities, where students put more focus on sports than academics. If you are athletically gifted, then you should milk that talent. Only the very elite make it to the NBA, NFL or major leagues in baseball; then what? You have to have a Plan B. A touching scene in the movie is where Timo Cruz's (Rick Gonzalez) cousin Renny is shot and Timo rushes over to comfort him. Timo goes to Coach's home and breaks down, saying he wants to get back on the team and Coach lets him back.That was a near death experience for the team because the shooting happened right across the street. That's support when the community is willing to overlook your poor academic record and focus on your athletic gift. Coach Carter had a brick thrown through his window at his shop and someone shouted "Open up the gym, let the boys play". For me, true support would entail me having poor grades and getting the help needed to get back & stay on track. 

Deflection-Pt. 2

One thing I detest is deflection. Deflection seeks to take the focus off that which needs to be fixed. Deflection wants to blame everyone but the perpetrator (points to self). It's his/her fault, they didn't do this, they didn't do that, etc. Deflection shifts focus from the real issues; it often looks for an OUT, it tries to change the subject especially when there's no real substance or merit behind a position one might take. It usually takes the ""NOT ALL OF US ARE THIS WAY TONE"".....""ITS JUST THE TYPES YOUR AROUND RHETORIC"".....""THEY HATE THEMSELVES AND THEIR MOMS" RHETORIC"". This is the big one: IT ALSO SEEMS TO WANT TO ATTACK ONES CHARACTER AND SEXUALITY....""HE CONFUSED....HE GAY". It's comical to me because with all that deflection, people make someone's case every single time. I understand truth is not easy for some people to take because they're not used to it. They get around people who powder their butts instead of telling them what they need to hear. When I was coming up, my parents didn't hold back on me. They told me straight up what I needed to hear and I can respect that. It kept me from getting jammed up. I would think some people respect honesty but with deflection being an epidemic, I can't tell. Sometimes I want to be told what I want to hear, but that doesn't mean I'll get it. Most people care enough about someone to tell them the real, which it may hurt for a moment but in the long run, will keep them from destruction. I'll take the cold, hard truth any day of the week; but that's just me.

Going Hard For What Matters

I'm a firm believer in that people only do their best at things they truly enjoy. It is difficult to excel at something you don't enjoy. Think about it, why would you give your all to something (or someone) you aren't passionate about? Doesn't make sense. The energy spent towards meaningless requests could be energy spent going after what's important to you. I'm the kind of person that I put my all into things I'm passionate about. It doesn't mean I won't become weary, it means I need to refuel from time to time so I can keep pushing towards what I want. Everyone is like this, but I make no apologies for being this way. Why would I? I have a passion for something and I will put my all into it. Period. I don't want to have any regrets like some people. I see some people who are on their death beds with a lot of regrets about not focusing on what matters and while I do feel bad for them, I also have to think did they have a clear vision? Were they willing to say no to unnecessary things. Chances are, the answer is no. You have to do what's best for you, even if it means others may not understand your rationale. It's not for others to understand why you focus on important matters. That's called efficiency, focusing on what counts. I feel if people focused more on what matters than trivial things, they would get further in life. Look at the most successful people, they got where they are because they focused on what mattered (and still do). They didn't waste time on trivial pursuits, they had a clear focus of what they wanted to accomplish and went hard for what matters.

Call & Response

Today's commentary is going to be a little different. From time to time I'll do call and response segments where I issue random call outs most people are likely to say and post my response. This should be fun so without further ado, let's go.

1. Woman: I want a Barack & Michelle relationship!

Me: You're a hoe, you'll never have a Barack & Michelle relationship because you'll always be viewed as a piece of meat to most men.

2. I Want The Truth

Me: Most people want the truth, until they get it and catch feelings because it wasn't watered down.

3. If you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best

Me: Try that on someone with a GED because no discerned (wo)man is going for that.

4. I'm A Good Man/Woman

Me: Keep Telling Yourself That. That's what most people say when they want to compensate for their flaws.

5. I want a man/woman that will let me rip & run the streets, talk crazy to him/her and not control me.

Me: Basically you want a spineless mate because you can't handle someone that will put you in your place if you get out of order.

6. I'm A Queen

Me: Since when did queens become ratchet? Start acting belligerent. If that's a queen, then I don't want one.

7. Behind every good man is a good woman and behind every bad woman is a bad man

Me: Why is it that when a man is great, a great woman is behind him but when the man is foul, it's all on him?

8. Free My N***a (insert name here)

Me: What did he do? Response: Shot 12 people (all but 1 died) and raped 3 children in the hood. Oh...throw him UNDER the jail.

9. A sugarcoated truth is not the truth, it's a falsity.

Me: True Talk, people want to put their own truth on things instead of taking truth as it comes.

10. Not all people are this, that & the third

Me: When you have a majority who display contrary conduct, that's what you are judged on. It's not right, but that's what it is.

Prayer Changes Things?

 I hear "prayer changes things" and I see on facebook people asking for mass prayers for their families or situations. But if the situation doesn't work out the way you wanted to, does that mean the prayers didn't work? Or if the situation was meant to be then why ask for the prayers in the first place, and what does that say about prayers in general?

I've wondered this myself. If someone's living right and they're obedient, why wouldn't God respond favorably to their request? Doesn't make sense. The only answer I can come up with is this: There is a way to pray so that you know God hears you and has already answered your prayers. Intercessory Prayer can only work if it's in line with God's plans and his law. No is NEVER an option when it comes to getting your prayers answered by God; otherwise, what's the point of even praying? Doesn't make sense to pray and you don't get a favorable response. The only prayers that don't get answered are ones wishing harm on others (of course God wouldn't answer your prayers wishing harm on another). For example, you can't deliberately sin and expect God to answer your prayer. Naw chile it doesn't work like that. Sinful living short circuits answered prayer. It's not enough just to do the right things in the right order but you also have to make sure you're living right. Even if you foul up one time, that could have an effect.

One other thing, people need to see proof of God's healing power. If you've struggled with an illness or disability for years and you know it's God's will for you to be healed, you shouldn't have to wait until you get to heaven to be made whole. You get healed in this lifetime so people can see proof of God's healing power. Otherwise, it's futile to pray for a miracle or healing only to struggle with it for life, THEN you're made whole in heaven. By that logic, people have reason to doubt whether God heals (I don't doubt God's power, btw) because they didn't see real-time evidence.