Confederate Flag Coming to Hillsborough, Florida

June 9th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Did you know that once, the United States had a war within itself? Yeah, the United States of America had a Civil War. We even called it The Civil War. It is apart of our history, the very fabric of our society.

The South broke away because the very fabric of their economy was being threatened. Slaves. Human Capitol. The funny thing, they lost. Slavery was abolished and we’ve spent the last hundred plus years trying to heal from that.

How do you heal if you try to erase the memory, instead of excepting and moving on?

In Hillsborough County Florida, The Sons of Confederate Veterans have plans to erect a 30×50 foot Confederate Flag on a 139 foot pole, the highest allowed, on private property on a busy highway intersection.

The group says the flag is not a racist statement but a piece of history. Most local businesses don’t find it offensive, but are worried about their customers.

Imagine so one telling a black organization, that they couldn’t erect a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. It wouldn’t happen. Robert E. Lee has memorials in my home town, Richmond Va. I took until my adulthood to realize I was standing on history.

I lived in a city where battle plans were made, soliders gathered and watched over each other, and decisive clashes took place. That’s history. It can not be changed or altered, nor should it be ignored.

I don’t care if you fly the Confederate Flag. I will assume you have racist beliefs. I will hold you accountable for my assumptions. I might be wrong, but it’s what you choose to show me. So if I was one of those shop owners, I would be worried.

I wouldn’t shop in the area because you were NOT offended. Because you did not stand up and say, we can find another way to honor the Confederate Soldiers, just because of the implication.

Local NAACP President Curtis Stokes was outraged the commissoner would allow the project to be completed. It’s your community. Instead of fighting the flag, use it for encouragement.

Ask them why they feel the group needs to make the flag so big? Tell them it’s because they are irrelvant in today’s society. It’s because they lost and because of it there is nothing that can stop you from one day having a statue raised of yourself for curing cancer or eliminating the national debt.

Choose the message carefully. Don’t tell our black people this is a sign of racism. Tell them that this is a sign that the racist are losing. Teach them about overcompensation, then maybe they won’t be so pressed to hustle for a hummer.

So I say raise the flag, watch the ecomony in the area decline, and realize that America isn’t as racist as we are thoughtful. We don’t mind you honoring our history, because it’s not just yours, but you should be sensitive in your praise.

Do It Just Because

June 8th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Upon spotting a situation where your assistance could be helpful, don’t first question what’s in it for you. The benefits or problems of a particular outcome may not reveal themselves until ready.

Meaning. Six years down the road your blessing may come. Don’t worry. God always closes his tab. So in the mean time, rack up the blessing helping all you see just because you know he’s real.

“Be alert to give service. What counts a good deal in life is what we do for others.”

Dear Broke Ass Dude

June 8th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Dear Broke Ass Dude

I meet you in the club last week, and you had it going on. Your kicks were shining, your ear was blinging and you was buying drinks for everybody. I’m a cautious girl, so I sit back and watch.

As you pulled out your dough, I never saw or heard the jingle of car keys. That was the first sign. You had game and you spit it tight. Not tight enough for me but you got up in my girls ear.

I watched as a group of girls formed staring her down. They weren’t coming after her to fight for you, they were laughing knowing what she was getting into.

Your boy made it over to me. He wasn’t as flashy as you, and he didn’t run game. He liked to watch just like me. The waitress came over and asked if we wanted a drink. He offered me one but declined one for himself.

I knew the look on his face. I knew it was the beginning of the month and rent was due. I bought him a drink and let him pay for mine. You laugh, out loud, as if there is some shame in paying your bills on time.

Dear Broke Ass Dude

If you weren’t flashin that little bit of dough in your pocket my girl wouldn’t be on you. She run game like that. If you got pussy on the regular you wouldn’t be so pressed to show out. If you had an dignity you wouldn’t be leaving cause yo boy drove you here.

So one week later. I visit your boy. His house isn’t decorated like a PIMP, but he got a house in his name. He don’t drive an Escalade, but his car gets him were he needs to go. He doesn’t have a closet full of name brand clothes, but he looks damn good when he’s getting ready for work in the morning. Believe me I know.

My girl told me about you though. She had to come and pick you up from yo mama house. She said walking through the backyard to get to the basement was cute. She ghetto like that.

She told me you had every pair of Jordans’ that ever came out. She also found the envelope of money yo mama left you. Yeah, she left it, my girl got sticky fingers though.

She told me how your mama came home and broke up yall bump and grind. Church let out early and you forgot to cut the grass before everybody came over for dinner. She also told me how everyone in your family was asking for the money you owe.

Dear Broke Ass Dude

Realize nobody wants you. You cry that all women are foul, the truth is no real woman would fuck with you. She would rather struggle with a man, than have momentary spending splurges followed by the McDonald Dollar Menu.

So the next time that fly ass girl turns you down without even hearing you out, don’t call her a bitch. Realize it’s because your a Broke Ass Dude.

BARACK OBAMA GOING TO THE WHITE HOUSE?

June 6th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Say it ain’t so. Don’t tell me the 2008 Democratic Primaries are over. I loved watching the black man and the white woman fight it out.

I’m just being funny.

I have such mixed feelings about this. I never thought the white people would actually back Barack Obama enough for him to defeat Hillary Clinton. You think I’m going to say because he is black right? Wrong.

I thought it would take more substance. I’ve watched Barack Obama speak numerous times. I just don’t now what change he’s going to bring.

What I do know? He plans on raising taxes for those who make over $75,000, because they are considered rich. I live in Northern Virginia and that’s just enough to get you by. That doesn’t allow for savings, investment, hell even a vacation. That’s not change I can believe in.

I know, he wants to pull the troops out of Iraq. We haven’t been attacked since 9/11 and I think that’s been accomplished because we created a new battle field. We now also have the means to collect more intellegence. He speaks of the soldiers that lose their lives defending us. It took 2 hours to cause more American deaths than five years in Iraq, and how long has it been since he went to Iraq to see those troops. He speaks of the cost of the war. How many attacks here before our economy is non-existant? That’s not change I can believe in.

What I don’t hear. How do you plan on helping the black community? What we need most is a Black Man with a message that we can do anything. Instead we get a Black Man that sat in a church that wants us to be victims. You are the first Black American to represent any party as a serious candidate for President. How can you not denounce Rev. Wright?

According to his logic, you shouldn’t be where you are. There is a little black boy sitting in that church developing a train of thought that the world owes him something. The world didn’t owe you anything. You worked and sacrified for it. Where is that message?

I love words, as you know. Sometimes though, you have to realize that words are just words if they aren’t backed by ideas, personal conviction, a history of action, and a true belief in their meaning.

I’m proud of the country that Rev. Wright damned. It gave Barack Obama a chance against all odds, (the Clintons).

I wonder how will you change the American family enough to begin fixing our communities and schools. I don’t think it will happen with more welfare benefits. How can you teach your children to work hard if you sit at home and collect a check.

My main point, Barack Obama. Don’t try to give us so much, that you don’t give us what you know. You know the importance of hard work. You know it isn’t easy. I want to hear that. I don’t want to hear slavery existed once and that’s the root of our problems. It’s not. We do more to hurt ourselves than any racist could ever do.

Come out and tell young black men to put down the guns. Don’t be afraid to point them out. You know they exist. You know how they’re hurting us. Not just blacks, but us all. If we cleaned our communities and opened businesses it would affect the entire country. It would lower the number of families without health care. It would raise the High School graduation rate and college admissions of minorities with no need for Affirmative Action. It would give people the resources to save for their own futures and Social Security wouldn’t be a ticking time bomb.

Politics will always be politics. Barack Obama is a politician. Let me repeat, BARACK OBAMA is a POLITICIAN.

There is no if’s, and’s or but’s about it. He wanted political associations so he joined Trinity. He left Trinity when it’s negatives outweighed his positives. That’s a politician.

So I’m happy for you. You ran a good race even though Hillary Clinton dominated in soooooo many states. I can’t be serious here. If it were any other candidate the things that went on in Trinity, the affliations with William Aires, not to mention a real lack of real experience, would’ve left a campaign deflated.

For some reason the have exhalted Barack Obama as the Great Black Hope. I just hope he doesn’t make it to the White House.

Share Success Wisely

June 6th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Choose wisely those you share your successes with. When you are happy and content and you want to shout about it, make sure you’re not surrounded by crabs in the barrel.

Those with no ambition will shoot yours down, and those who expect the most of you will always ask for more. Realize it is your path to take, and the chatter around you will always be there, just ease you mind and move forward. Don’t allow them to make you stand still.

Hating On Master P: Backlash From Congressional Appearance

June 5th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

In September, I didn’t have my website. I was moving into my new house on the day Master P, David Banner, and Dr. Michael Dyson spoke in front of Congress in the name on hip-hop.

I actually stopped packing and took a seat to watch. I thought it was excellent. Punch for punch, our voice was heard. It would’ve recieved more attention if those at the top of the game were there, but I give mad props to David Banner and Master P for showing up.

We complain and complain that we can’t get any help. Some of our artist make millions complaining. Here was their chance to make a footprint, where were they. If they couldn’t have spoken, they could have shown up and supported the voices and words that were heard.

Instead, they come out and bash Master P. He’s turning on us. He’s uppity now that he has some money. I heard it from everywhere.

What did he say that was so wrong.

Oh my God. It’s important that we understand our people need healthcare.

Oh, No. He grew up and learned lessons taught to him by life.

How dare he say we need more black faces behind the scence fighting for us?

I don’t blalme Master P for making some money and realizing the ghetto isn’t the only place on Earth. I don’t blame him for realizing that money makes the world go round, and though our songs make millions, or brand makes billions. I respect him for having the courage to say the unpopular thing.

I agree with David Banner and Master P. Our songs do influence our communities, and I hate artist that only dipict woman as sexual toys. But there are women out there that respond to that.

There are artist that are pure lyricist. They speak of guns, drugs, sex and hos, but they also speak of love for their brothers, our inablity to be stopped, respect for women that deserve it, and a swag that will carry you through any situation. They are complex and that’s how it should be.

Though we’re black, there is a large range of our likes and dislikes. Real rappers don’t dance. That’s my opinion. Pop stars dance, but there is a place in hip-hop for Soulja Boy and the rest. I don’t hate, but I don’t support either.

Except for raps Number 1 Clown, name an artist at the top that isn’t diverse. The top sellers have songs targeted to different groups because they understand we are diverse.

The backlash on Master P is uncalled for. We have to be the ones that stand up and take what belongs to us. If you think one day we’re going to wake up ruling the world without a fight you are delusional. It takes our voices of tracks, it takes our products in stores, it takes our command behind the scences, but more than anything, it takes us understanding WE HAVE TO DO IT.

We are doing it. We’re owning our own labels and getting top positions in long established music companies. Don’t you think we see that just as much as we see the bling? We know we’d rather have Jay-Z’s money instead of what’s his name’s temporary funds.

It takes us all. Those who want to tell what’s going on right now, we need you. Those that have been through it and made it out, we need you. Those that make offensive songs that make us argue, we need you. Only then will the complete picture be painted.

David Banner: Interview after Congress

June 5th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I don’t listen to David Banner as an artist, but as a black man using his word wisely, I WILL LISTEN.

You will find multiple blogs on the Congressional Hip-Hop meeting. It is important to realize we have to voice our problems in front of the movers and shakers of the government.

That’s right. Our music is fine the way it is. There are artist that don’t help our cause, but you can go to any bookstore and find stories written by people long forgotten.

I can disagree when David Banner says ‘It’s Just a Song’. It’s not. It’s our words. Our stories, from our point of view. I don’t want to hear only positive music. That is not the way the world is. I think we have enough problems deluding ourselves that racism can stop us from accomplishing anything.

My brothers that ran the streets, knew what they were doing. They knew it wasn’t right and that’s why they started rapping. Give us credit enough to know when our artist sings about their struggle, they overcame. That’s the point that’s missing.

Check Out Kobe Bryant

June 5th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

THAT IS TOOOOOO FUNNY

A Book By It’s Cover

June 5th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Appearances can be deceiving. Deception can hide behind friendly words. Illness can hide between thick thighs.

Time and patience reveal more than a quick glance. Watch as they relate to others and if it contridicts your first opinion, believe it. There could be a reason they only show you the good.

“Acting is a form of deception, and actors can mesmerize themselves almost as easily as an audience.” Leo Rosten 1908-

Dear Friend: Letter 1

June 5th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I watch you struggle. You work so hard, but I can give you no pity. I can’t give you any more advice. My words are harsh and get worse with each exchange.

I ask you the same questions:

Where is he?
I don’t know
When was the last time you seen him?
Monday morning when he dropped off my car and borrowed $20.
He got his license back?
No
Then why did he have your car?
He went out with the boys Friday
Friday? And he’s just bringing your car back?
Yeah
Okay. Well what you doin?
I’m about to go and pick up some money
He finally giving you some money?
No! I’m borrowing some from my Aunt
Why are you borrowing money if you can give him money?
I don’t want to talk about it
Okay! Well what do you want to talk about?
I got new pictures of the kids. You should see them. They look just like their daddy. I bought them all new outfits for the pictures.
He showed up to take pictures?
Naw. He couldn’t make it, but they look so cute anyway
What color dress did you get?
I just wore my old black dress. You know I can’t afford clothes for myself

And then I lose it. I cuss and fuss and make you cry. I do it because I care but I only hurt you. I don’t like hurting you. Unlike him, I get no pleasure in seeing you in pain.

You love him more than you love yourself. Unfortunate.

You love him more than you love your kids. Unacceptable.

They’re watching him treat you like dirt, the same way you once watched. I know you. Inside there is a strong woman and when she’s ready to come out, I’ll get the alcohol and Orange Juice.

Until then, I have to walk away. I can’t hurt you on purpose. You’ll probably resent me for turning my back when you need me most, but I love you so much I can’t watch you hurt and then contribute to it.

Call me when you need the pieces put back together. I won’t look down on you for loving hard, nor will I blame you for following you heart. I look forward to that moment.

Until then………