And Then They Forget: Cam’ron and Dame Dash On O’Reily

November 15th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I don’t know how old this video is. I was looking for a video of a Cam’ron song I love and ran across it. The sad part is Cam’ron shitted on the song. Watch the Video, then I’ll explain.

Assholes. O.K. I really didn’t mean that. I meant Cam’ron is an Asshole. Sorry for the language but you don’t mind when they say it, so why should you care if I do?

I took Dame Dash out of my asshole comment because I think he really does show it’s cool to be smart. If you remember the show he had on BET, “Ultimate Hustler”, you can understand why I give him a pass. I learned a lot from that show. Never leave the house without your name on your clothes. (Please, if you want to buy name brand clothes, invest in the company and make some money in the process). Make sure the people around you are also hustlers. I mean his show was packed with insight on how to make in any industry. I have no beef with Dame Dash on this matter.

Now back to Cam’ron. He is the epitome of what’s wrong with Hip Hop. On his first album, Cam’ron had a song called D. Rugs. It is by far my favorite song by Cam’ron. If you haven’t heard it, you need to.

It’s about Cam’ron’s mother’s addiction to drugs and how he got pulled into the game. It’s a real story of what’s going on in the hood told in a positive manner. It didn’t glorify the drug game, it told you the real consequences behind the drug game. His mother ending up in the hospital and him ending up in handcuffs. I loved Cam’ron for that song.

Then comes the PINK era. I don’t know what happened to make him forget the truth. All of a sudden, it’s cool to sell drugs again. You are a man if you know how to run a block. And real men can wear PINK from head to toe and still be cool.

That’s bullshit. How could you write a song that shows so much raw emotion, then turn back into drug selling pimp. Am I being judgemental? Hell yeah. I’m mad. I’m losing artist to believe in.

Now let’s take a little look back at the interview. O.K. So you write what’s really going on in the hood. This is what gets left out. You are no longer in the hood. You get robbed when you go to the hood, but you don’t sing about that. Why? Because then you would be the punk in your own song.

Why don’t you rap about the struggles of opening your own record label. I mean that’s what you did, right. Why not put all your struggles on record and let people know the problems they face are faced by everyone. That would give them some push to keep going. Instead you continue to rap about the things you used to do, not the things you are currently doing.

And when you get called on it, you bring up movies. With that, I’ll bring back Dame Dash. You two make movies. Are they tales about how to make it out the hood? No. It’s back to showing only the negative. Then you turn around and ask someone else to point out the positive. Are you serious?

You don’t point out the positive. You still make the kid going to school seem like a square and the dudes hustling on the corner seem like the cool guys. I understand that’s really how the hood is but is that the way to change it. To see those that made it out continuously using the bad to promote themselves. Does it matter if you talk to 150 students when your albums and movies reach Millions?

Then when you mix the two, the old Cam’ron with the new, you get nothing but a mixed message. It’s cool to be smart but you still have to sell drugs to fit in. It’s cool to start your own business but you have to buy a big car the moment you do. And don’t even get me started on the subject of Women.

For this Dame Dash gets a Fuck You. I’m sure you have all heard the stories of how Dash treated the girls at the video shoots. Throwing champagne on them, calling them out their names, and basically treating them like they are nothing. I don’t blame him because if I was one of those girls, a real news story would come to pass. “Female beats the shit out of Dame Dash with his own bottle.”

But the message is still there. Men with power can treat women anyway they choose. There are women, god bless their souls, that actually accept this treatment. And as long as they accept it, there will be men that are willing to throw it out. That’s something us females have to fix.

Back to Cam’ron. He has another great song on his first CD. I think it’s called “It’s all good”. It’s about a man loving a woman. Yet again, one of my favorite Hip Hop songs and then comes PINK Cam’ron calling us all hoes and tricks. This is where I get pissed off.

I don’t care if you point out a few women and call them names. I know some of these women and they don’t mind. But you can’t point to us all with a single stroke. So when you say ALL WOMEN are this or that, you are degrading us. Yet again, I won’t blame Cam’ron. I will criticize but I won’t blame.

There are more women in this country than there are men. If we refused to buy any album where blanket statements are made about whole groups, we would change Hip Hop. We don’t have to complain or protest, all we have to do is stop spending. This is what I do. If the first song you put on the radio is filled with blanket statements, then I won’t buy the album. The C.D. could be filled with great songs but you choose to put the commercial ones first, then you won’t get me to buy your music. It’s that simple.

Probably explains why I haven’t bought a Cam’ron record since the first one.

Oh, I forgot the main reason I was writing this. The issue of whether they care or not. Cam’ron said there should be more parent teacher conferences. This is my question. Cam’ron go back to the time when you were living your D. Rugs song. Would your addict mother go to the school for a parent teacher conference? I’m not trying to be mean when I say that. I know what addiction does to a family. I know what it’s like for a child watching their parents ruin any chance of a decent upbringing. How can you honestly say it has to be the parents, only.

I’m one of those parents that listens to Disney songs when my daughter is in the car. I plan on going to every teacher’s conference my daughter has. But the truth is, D. Rugs is present in to many of our households. D. Rugs has more sway with some parents than any teacher ever could. And just imagine being the child that has to bring their drug addicted parent to school for everyone to see.

Cam’ron has really moved up in the world. In doing so, he has forgotten where he came from. He has forgotten what it felt like to be that child. And that’s a shame because there are kids out there that would love to hear that version of a C.E.O.’s life. Why are you not responsible for making sure everyone knows that version of the story?

Placing blame else where will not change our situation. I’m sure you didn’t blame one record label and that’s what got your foot in at another. Or did you forget that too.

Michael Steele For the RNC

November 14th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

For those of you who say I bash black politicians, you are wrong. I bash politicians that rail against free market, family values, self responsibility, and the right to life. This doesn’t come in color, it comes in my values.

With that being said, Yes, I have a black man to support. Michael Steele, the former Lt. Governor of Maryland. I have given my support to the grassroots effort of electing Steele to head the RNC. Here is the interview with Steele hearing our call for new leadership in the Republican Party.

You can throw your support behind Michael Steele. Sign the petition and let the Republican Party know we mean business. Change is coming and this is change I can actually believe in.
Draft Michael Steele

“We are no longer fighting to sit at the diner. We are now fighting to own the diner.” Michael Steele

Once we understand this, we can really bring change.

A Big House Reality: Chapter 5

November 14th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Rose wasn’t allowed to answer the phone, unless Daniel or one of the boys were around. Cain rushed in looking like he was expecting a call. Rose motioned for him to slow down and picked up the receiver.

“Marshall Residents.”

“May I speak to Daniel Marshall?”

“He’s at work right now. Maybe you should call him on his cell.”

“I don’t have that number. Would you leave him a message for me?”

“I don’t concern myself with his personal affairs, so I think you should call him on his cell. I can give you the number.”

“No, that’s okay. I found a fax number for him. I’ll reach him that way. Thanks.”

“I know that wasn’t her.” Cain said disappointed.

“Cain, if she wanted to talk to you, she would have called by now.”

“I know mom. I just had a feeling she would call today.”

“Where’s your brother? You know your father likes to see him when he gets home.”

“Don’t worry when dad gets here, Marcus will come out. Until then let’s not rush it. Wanna play a game of chess?”

She nodded her head as she moved toward the chess board.

“Mom, do you miss her, even a little bit?”

“Let’s not talk about that. It’s your move.”

Cain appeased his mother and moved a pawn on the board. This was a game his mother played well. If only she was that good at chess.

A Time For Change: Chapter 6

November 14th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I didn’t know what to say, so I sat there and said nothing. Sky looked blank and distant. She didn’t move, just stood there with her back to the still open door. I didn’t move, just stayed leaning against the wall of her hallway.

“Do you know how to roll up?” She asked as she finally broke the silence. I shook my head yes. “You any good?”

“I never rolled a wrap before, but I’m sure it isn’t that different.”

Sky said never mind, as she passed me in the hallway in route to her room. I wanted to follow her, but she shut the door before I even turned around. I walked to the door just as a little hood rat poked his head in. I held my hand to his chest as he tried to force his way through the door.

“Sky, you all right” He yelled at the top of his voice.

“She’s fine. Just went to get her head straight. Can I help you with something?”

“Naw. Tell her to hit up Lob when she gets the chance.” He started walking away before he even finished his sentence. I’m beginning to understand where Sky gets cutting people off before they finish speaking. I closed the door and latched every lock lining the door frame. When I finished, I heard Sky’s bedroom door open. She stuck her head out and looked around.

“Was that Lob?”

“Yeah”
“Good” she said as she went into the room Sean came out earlier. She closed the door behind her.

My Experiment With Gears of War 2

November 11th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

As you know, I love video games. I love Gears of War. And even though I have some beef with the game (I’ll get to that later), I used my playing time to do a little experiment.

I have 50 friends on my XBox Live account. I monitored over the weekend how many people got the game when it was released. I must note, I don’t accept friend invites from kids. They just ruin the game.

O.K. The game was released Thursday at midnight. My man was there to pick up our copy. There were 40 people in line when he went to pick up the game. A Best Buy is right across the street from our local gaming store and they had a line around the building. So a lot of people were out in the middle of the night with enough money to buy the $60 game.

When we finally got online, 8 of my friends were playing Gears of War 2. And the numbers only got higher as the weekend went on. Friday night, 18 of my friends had the game. Saturday night, 25 of my friends had the game. Sunday night, 32 of my friends had the game. Yesterday, I had to erase some of my old friends that didn’t have the game to replace with new friends I met over the weekend. As of this morning, 37 of the 50 on my friends list has Gears of War 2.

What does that mean? Gaming is really a recession proof industry. In this time of credit crunch and piling bills, people are still buying video games. If you are looking to diversify your portfolio, I would suggest doing research into the gaming industry. When Halo 3 came out, I’m sure alot of people made a lot of money.

A quick message to Cliffy B. I gave you geneous status but now I take it back. Did you not understand the number of women that run Gears of War. I thought we were going to have a multiplayer girl. Why don’t we? You are starting to piss me off. Everyone I kill today will be a death laid at your footsteps. Girls Rule.

It’s Veterans Day! Thank You

November 11th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

What does it take to knowingly walk into a dangerous situation, far from home? Even more, what does it take to do it for people that you don’t even know? What does it take to volunteer your life in the service of your country?

What does it take as an American to say Thank You? Whether you agree with a war or not, that has nothing to do with the troops that serve. The ones that strap up and move out on the orders of a commander and chief of the greatest nation in the world. The ones that sleep on the hard ground only to be awakened by the sound of gunfire. The ones that tell their family and friends goodbye as they march towards and uncertain fate. Just say Thank You.

I threw a party for my girlfriend last year. One of her friends bought a solider just back from Iraq. I’m not the type to cater to anyone but this man got my undivided attention. I constantly made my way to this hero every chance I got, asking if I could refresh his drink or get him something to eat. My girl thought I was hitting on him but he knew different.

He pulled me aside and asked if he could talk. I was excited because I thought he was going to talk about what he went through. Instead, he told me to stop being so nice because he was just doing his job. I told him I was just doing my job, giving him a little praise for his service to me. He wasn’t willing to accept anything for his service but I refused to stop.

That is the wonder of an American Solider. While other countries parade their troops around in neat formations, our troops take mortar fire. While other countries cry for us to change policy, our soldiers are changing countries. While other countries make their soldiers fight to eat, our soldiers volunteer to fight so we can eat, drink, and be merry.

In this time of financial disaster, I think we forget one really important thing. Our economy would mean nothing if it weren’t for our military might. We have the ability to work our way through this down turn because we have troops willing to fight to protect us while we figure out what to do next. While average Americans try to figure out how to pay their light bill, there is a solider giving you the freedom. While the government is giving another bail out, there is a soldier saving his fellow soldiers life. And all I can say is Thank You.

So today, stop thinking about yourself. Instead spend a couple seconds thinking about where your freedom comes from. We would still be under Englands’ rule if there weren’t soldiers to fight. Black people would still be slaves if there weren’t soldiers to fight. Jews might have been killed off if there weren’t soldiers to fight. Kuwait would be apart of Iraq if there weren’t soldiers to fight. Where would you be if we didn’t have soldiers willing to fight?

And while you are thinking about these things, write a letter to a solider abroad and just say thank you.

Anysoldier.com

These are the sites I write to. Just take a couple moments to send a Hero a message to keep them going. Say hi. Say I’m thinking about you. Say Thank You.

AMillionthanks.org

What’s The Difference Between A Republican and A Democrat

November 10th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I got this little joke from the Forum on HipHopRepublican.com. Check out the site if you haven’t.

A Republican and a Democrat are walking down the street. They come across a homeless man. The Republican stops and gives the homeless man his card. He tells the man to come to his office and he’ll try to get him a job. Then he gives the man $20.

The Democrat is touched by the Republicans’ act of kindness. They continue to walk down the street and come across another homeless man. The Democrat hands the man directions to the unemployment office. Then he reaches into the pocket of the Republican and takes out a $20 bill. He takes $15 for a surcharge and gives the homeless man the other $5.

That’s the difference between a Republican and a Democrat.

When To Start Teaching Your Child: Hint- Right Now

November 10th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I remember when I was a child. We would come home from school, change our “good” clothes, and head to the kitchen table to do homework. If you didn’t have homework, then my mother would make some for you. Often making me take timed math test or mock spelling test. And if it was sloppy, the whole paper was ripped and I had to start over.

I hated it, then. When I got into middle school, I began to understand why homework was so important to my mother. I was ahead in all my classes because my mother taught me in advance. When we were studying division, she was teaching me fractions. When we went to the zoo, she made us classify animals. While we were cooking, she made us measure and double the recipe. I began to appreciate her efforts.

I do the same for my daughter. While we are playing hide n go seek, I use different methods of helping her find me; making a sound, leaving a foot exposed, or hide in the dark and make her feel around. Then I ask her which one of her senses she used to find me. We have a relay race where each point is marked with the name of a planet. I ask her to tell me colors in Spanish.

I’m sharing this info because I got criticized for it. I was told, a child is a child and I shouldn’t try to push her into learning. I should wait until she is in school. This is her fun time. To that I say, get real.

I will always be my daughters’ main teacher. Not because I think I’m better than a real teacher. It’s because she is my daughter. It is my responsibility to make sure she gets off on a good start. And I take it very seriously.

During the election, I was constantly watching the news. My daughter hates the news, but she would occasionally watch with me, asking question along the way. Alot of things I just don’t know how to explain to her, but I gave her the just of how our political system works. One person, one vote, and the majority wins. Now we practice this when deciding our plans for the day.

We vote on which playground to go to. We vote on what vegetable to have for dinner. We vote on which area of the house we should start cleaning first. When we first started, my daughter was pissed. She didn’t like having to vote on everything. Then she got the picture when she never got what she wanted. So now, she comes to me in advance and tries to win my vote. I cleaned my room without you asking, will you vote to go to Chuck E. Cheese? I do.

And everyday, I try to create a new learning experience for her. Today, we are going on a nature walk. We are going to try to figure out why all the leaves are falling from the trees and why they change color. She also wants to know why their are so many holes in the leaves she finds.

This requires work on my part. I hate science. By far it was my worst subject in school. But I did my research so I should be able to answer any question she comes up with. If not, then we come back to the house and google it. She knows all the answers are online.

The Point

We all know the status of most public school systems; they are highly ineffective. We have to be the major force behind educating our children. We can’t wait til our children are failing then go to the school and complain. Waiting doesn’t benefit our children. They will remain behind while we are pushing for change. Then if change ever comes, they have to play catch up.

Eventually if they have dreams of going to college, they will be hit with the shock of their lives. They will realize they are not prepared for it. Yes, it may be a reflection of the school system but it is also a reflection on you.

I wrote a paper in high school about the “Scarlet Letter”. I hadn’t even read the book. I just listened in on the talk during class. I got an A on the paper. My mother sent the paper to my uncle, who read it and graded it a D, at best. My mother made me read the book and rewrite the paper. I didn’t get any credit for it at school but I understood why my first paper was no good.

So anytime I wrote a paper, I asked the teacher for her real opinion. That’s when you find the greatness of a real teacher. Give them a student that wants to learn. Give them a student that questions an A. Give them a student that doesn’t understand why they have to be graded on a curve. Then you get teachers that expect more of her students. And that’s what we need.

The want and need for education has to start in the home. Then the students can bring it to school. Then the teachers can do their jobs and not be over glorified baby sitters. Then we can get real change in our school systems because students will start to point out unqualified teachers.

So today, look ahead in your child’s school book. Read the novel your child is reading. Grade their paper before they turn it in. Make them rewrite if necessary. Yes, they will complain. Yes, they will be mad. When they get in high school, they will thank you. They will realize how you set them up for success and find it hard to let you down. Begin to teach your child right now.

Funny story……When I was in high school, there was a math teacher that hated me. I often corrected her and she didn’t like it. I missed her class on test day and another student set the curve. I had to take a make up test and scored a 98. She was pissed because she had to go and adjust the curve for everyone. Most of the students were pissed because instead of their B they got D’s. At the end of the year, the teacher had to give me a certificate for excellence, which she threw at me. It was the best reward I ever got.

When Is It O.K. To Be A Racist?

November 9th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I wanted to stay in and play Gears of War 2 all weekend but I’m a mother and it doesn’t work like that. Yesterday I had to go out and run the normal errands.

I was in the Grocery Store and there was a black woman and a white woman walking down the isle. As I was looking through my coupons, I overheard their conversation. They were laughing that white people had been taken down a peg or two when Obama won the Presidency.

I thought to myself, damn this white girl must really want to fit in. She was white and allowed her black friend to openly express bigotry.

When is it O.K. to be a racist? Here are a couple scenario’s, tell me which one’s are acceptable.

1. It’s a black neighborhood. The corner boys are posted up when a white man rolls through. After realizing he was not there to score, the corner boys tell the white man; “You are in the wrong neighborhood”. They beat the crap out of the white man. Is this fair?
2. It’s a white neighborhood. The skin heads are skateboarding down the street when a black man rolls through. After realizing he drove a better car than their parents, they tell the black man; “You are in the wrong neighborhood. The beat the crap out of the black man. Is this fair?
3. Two black people are talking. One says, “This whitey at my job is really nice”. The other says, “No cracker is any good”. Not wanting to argue, the first agreed. Is this not bigotry?
4. Two white people are talking. One says, “This nigger at my job is really nice”. The other says, “No monkey is any good”. Not wanting to argue, the first agreed. Is this not bigotry?
5. A white man and black woman are walking down the street. They pass a group of black men that start making comments about the couple. They question why the fine black woman would choose a cracker. The white man just ignores them and pulls his girl in closer. Do you blame her?
6. A black man and white woman are walking down the street. They pass a group of white men that start making comments about the couple. They question why the white woman wants to mingle with a porch monkey. The black man just ignores them and pulls his girl closer. Do you blame her?
7. It’s a black family reunion. Over the years, some of the black men and woman have chose white men and women to share their lives. The older adults don’t understand this. They still have pent up frustration over marching in the 60’s and fighting in the 70’s. How dare you bring a cracker to my home?
8. It’s a white family reunion. Over the years, some the white men and women have chose black men and women to share their lives. The older adults don’t understand this. They remember a time when it was a blessing to be white. They remember how the government bent to the will of the black people. How dare you bring a nigger to my home?
9. A black person that voted for John McCain is a field jockey. They are nothing more than puppets used to dance for master. They do research to try to justify picking the white man. Who cares what each believes. Vote on color.
10. A white person that voted for Barack Obama is a nigger lover. They are scared to stand up and fight for white rights. They just don’t want to be called what they really are, racist. Who cares what each believes. Vote on color.
11. A white cop pulls over a black man. He warns the man that his back tail light is out and let’s him go. The black man goes back to his friends and the first thing he says, “Damn crackers always fucking with a nigger.”
12. A white cop pulls over a black man. He warns the man that his back tail light is out and let’s him go. The white cop goes back to the other cops and is asked why he didn’t give that nigger a ticket. The white cop says, “it was only a broken tail light”. The other cops said, “So what, niggers would kill you given the chance.
13. A black man refuses to go to a job interview because he believes no white person would give him a job.
14. A white man refuses to give a black man a job because he believes all black men are lazy.

Are you starting to get the point?

Race doesn’t matter to me. In no shape, form, or fashion. I have five brothers. One is married to a white woman and they have 2 kids. One has two mixed kids with another on the way. One doesn’t care what color a girl is as long as they are fly. The other two love black women. And I love them all.

About ten years ago, I moved in with my Aunt. My best friend at the time was a white girl. I asked if my friend could visit and my Aunt said yes. When she found out she was white, she told me she had to go home. I was shocked. I didn’t know she even harbored feelings like that, especially since she shares her home with her husbands’ three mixed kids. And thanksgiving is going to be interesting because her son just had a mixed child. Will the baby be allowed, even though the mother is rejected?

The whole point is there is no excuse for racism. If you want to judge me for not caring about the color of a man’s skin, then judge on. But please do not complain when there are people just like you on the other side. Think about it like this; for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Don’t expect racism to cease while you still perpetrate it.

So for those who call me names because I look at policy not color, I waiting for you to come to your senses. For those who hate me because I’m black, hate on. For those who don’t consider themselves racist, stop using the words that show different. Let go of your racism and then we can throw stones because we don’t live in a glass house.

Gears of War 2 Launches

November 6th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

With the election over, I really need a break. So I’ll be spending all my free time in the next few days killing noobs in Gears of War 2.

Alot of people are surprised that I am a video gamer. Oh yes, with no apologies. Gears of War gave me this passion. I got online and met my clan and it was on. For all you that don’t understand, Gears of War is the best game ever. Cliffy B is a geneous.

Who knew attaching a chainsaw to machine gun could be so fun? Or what about sticking somebody with a frag then running away killing the whole team. Or maybe sniping somebody while they are trying to pick up a boomshot? Oh the fun you can have.

So tonight with the release of Gears of War 2 I will allow my inner nerd to come out. I will stand against the Locust and save Sera. Then I will get on the multiplayer and build my stats. I’m so glad the election is over.