Civil Rights Movement 2013? Is It Possible?

We all have heard the famous speech of Dr. Martin Luther King. His words exactly were " I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land." I have pondered over this for quite sometime. My question is what is the Promise Land and will we ever reach that place. Little has changed since the days of the Civil Rights Movement. Those who wore white robes with holes cut out in the eyes and called themselves the ku klux klan are still practicing their hatred for Africans world wide. The only difference is many of them have traded in their white robes for business suits, judicial robes, police uniforms, white supremacy groups etc. Society is still inflicting pain and suffering upon our People. Let's take a look at the statistics of the mass incarcerations of Black men. I read a recent poll which gave the alarming comparison of Africans enslaved and Brothers currently imprisoned. The statistics showed there are more Brothers incarcerated than there were Africans enslaved in 1850. 

This is unacceptable and shows we are still under siege. Racial profiling is another assassination against People of African descent. Many have lost their lives due to racial profiling. Look at the case of Rekia Boyd a 22 year old Sister killed by the Chicago Police because her cell phone was mistaken for a gun. These cases are surfacing at a steady pace. The African race is on the radar for elimination. The thought of a new Civil Rights Movement may be far fetched but let's imagine for a moment, what would be our main demands, how would we convince other Africans to join us and fight globally for our rights? 

The truth is, many of our People are a product of Social Engineering which means they have become a product of their environment. They are content with the injustice and other obstacles placed in our paths by those who oppress us. This means most likely forming a new Civil Rights type movement would not be an easy task. I would say the first step would be to deprogram the minds of many of our People and reprogram the minds with the concept that we are all Africans. The next step would be to eliminate Organizations and create one global Organization fighting for the same cause. The problem with Organizing is, many groups branch off into separate entities and are only useful to those who are a part of their Organization. During the Civil Rights Movement you had many groups but they were all fighting the same fight. We have not yet overcome and we will not break the barriers until we unite as one.

Are We Our Own Worst Enemy?

 Many People speak of Repatriation and how wonderful it would be for all of our People to Unite as one in the Mother Land. I have also sat many times and envisioned everyone rejoicing, celebrating and embracing one another but STOP !  Let's pump our breaks for a minute. What happens if a large percentage of our People carry with them the same mindset which harbors self hate,  and other inhibitions responsible for stagnating their minds? You can take a withering plant, uproot it and replant it into different soil but if the roots of that plant are damaged due to neglect or other circumstances regardless to having new fertilized soil the plant will not sprout leaves. It is no secret that we have had many misdeeds inflicted upon us as well as our Ancestors but when do we stop and take a look at our own actions? How many crimes and murders took place in the inner cities in the last 5 years? How many of these incidents involved Black on Black crime? Look at the case of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton who performed with her class at the Inauguration, and was gunned down one week later by two Black teens involved in a drive by shooting. These are senseless acts committed by our own People. We must take a closer look at these destructive behaviors. Let's focus for a moment on the Entertainers, Athletes and Public Figures of African descent who's salary falls well above the "wealthy" status, those who are deemed as being Millionaires and Billionaires. With all the successful entertainers, athletes etc. combined why is it that we as Africans do not have Black owned major retails such as Walmart, numerous Black owned banks schools, etc. We should have financial lenders eager to grant loans for potential home buyers.  In 2010 up to 123.5 million acres of African land  was purchased by wealthy investors.  Asian and Middle East companies bought up 560 million acres of farmland in developing countries. There should be an outpouring of wealthy Black investors stepping up to purchase land and rescue Africa from the Land Grabs taking place.  

 

 

  I want to make it clear, I am not saying those responsible for placing the mental shackles on the minds of many of our People should merchants. We spend Billions of dollars but if we examine thnot accept blame for their actions. I am only pointing out the importance of taking responsibility for our own actions. We must examine how many People of African descent have contributed to the destruction of our People. I have also examined the path many of our youth are traveling. Many of them idolize rappers, singers and athletes but know nothing about their Ancestors or the great achievements made by those who stood on the front line fighting for the rights of Africans. How many of our young Queens look in the mirror and feel they are inadequate because of their Black skin, kinky hair, thick lips etc. The need for an intervention is great. There should be African centered schools and cultural establishments on every corner, teaching our youth the beauty of being African. It is vital to instill within them the values of being proud of who they are. Lastly, I want to point out the Black Economy. Statistics show that the Black dollar carries much weight with e direction in which our dollars are traveling we will see only a small percentage is going to Black owned businesses. Corporations target us when advertising high priced shoes, clothes, etc. because they know many will spend their last dime purchasing items used mainly for bragging rights. I read an article about a certain athletic shoe which was priced at $300 the report showed People of African descent being the main consumers of these shoes. We must open our eyes and take a look around us. When we do this, we will see why it is crucial to mend our ways and rise above Social Engineering. I am optimistic that we can evolve and BREAK FREE FROM MENTAL BONDAGE. We are resilient People who posses a great deal of Power but utilizing that Power requires knowing self, Uniting as one and obtaining global African Unity.

No New Years Resolutions 4 Me

Sitting here tonight in thought of the road ahead of me. I have many plans and many goals. I am not one who subscribes to the concept of New Years Resolutions. I feel we must continue being productive 365 days a year and not wait for the turn of the new year to make positive transformations in our lives. I am not saying don't look toward brighter horizons in the upcoming year, I am saying don't hold off on accomplishing your goals. We must continue moving forward every day of our lives. Don't get me wrong, it is a positive practice to look back on what you accomplished during the current year and strive to do more but remember time is precious and does not stand still therefore, we can not afford to put our lives on hold until a new year arrives. We must keep climbing higher and higher over coming all obstacles in our way. Wishing you all the best for this upcoming year and beyond.

Does Africa Want Us Back?

I came across a post online which asked the question does Africa want us back. Many feel Africans born in the Motherland would not want us Africans born in the States Repatriating back to Africa. The truth is due to Social Engineering many Africans of the Diaspora have become products of their Environment. Many have lost touch with their identity. This is why Duel Citizenship is a great concept. Many People of African descent are not open to the idea of Repatriation but would be more open to having duel Citizenship in  African Countries. I feel it is a misconception that Africans would not want to Unite with their Brothers and Sisters abroad. Many times it is the other way around. I have witnessed Brothers and Sisters snubbing Africans who have moved to the States. This is disgraceful and shows lack of Unity. When I see African families I will usually walk up and welcome them or give them a warm and friendly smile. The truth of the matter is if we show them Love most likely  they will reciprocate. I am not ready to grasp the concept that Africans don't want us Africans of the Dispora in Africa. I am interested in how others feel about this topic. We must bridge the gap between Africans abroad. This is the only way we will build a strong African Nation.

Conscious Music Finishes Last

Sitting here at 3:31 AM up late again meditating, planning, debating, contemplating, anticipating...There are a thousand thoughts racing through my head at once. I often wish I could be ubiquitous. I wish to accomplish many goals simultaneously but when these thoughts surface I try to suppress them because being overly anxious is not good. In time I will reach my immediate goals and then set new goals which will supersede my previous accomplishments. I'm listening to Miles Davis at the moment. The song happens to be (Blue In Green) I'm drifting and in a zone. Just Miles and I relaxing late night grooving to the mellow sounds. The beautiful sounds coming from his horn is as if the horn has empathy of it's own. I'm deeply in thought about the plight of Conscious Black music. I had one solid contact, a major connection for a possible publishing deal. They asked me to submit my music, I did and it seems my Pro Black persona and Liberated lyrics warded them off. I had the connection and was so close to walking into this major business deal but when they got a whiff of who I am and what I stand for.....Well you already know. I admit I did feel slightly disoriented. It caught me off guard because they were so much loving my voice and my writing ability. They were speaking to me by phone and we talked for at least thirty minutes about their plans and expectations for me as one of their team members. The first song they heard from me was a jingle theme song I created for their company and that did it..They loved it! and wanted me as a writer, artist etc. I was told they were gonna pass my music to the top executives. They asked me for more material. When I packaged up a few of my Conscious music and sent it over. I heard nothing further and my emails went unanswered. I noticed when I gave them my name Conscious Plat, there was hesitation just by the Conscious portion of my name alone..I am well aware that if I drop the Conscious Plat Title and begin singing the same type material as the other mainstream artist who get mad radio play and are at the top of the charts then I am sure I would have a chance but what would that make me? A sellout....I would be hypocritical, not true to myself. My music is much more than words and beats. The music is a movement, a statement, truth, Powerful! Music which can uplift and inspire others. We have been beaten down by Society due to oppression, Injustice, Racial Profiling and all the other negative aspects of being Black in America and abroad. I will not allow the record companies' decision to knock me down. I feel the best thing for me to do at this point is regroup and find another route to push my music. Many times I wish I had an agent (Music agent) that is.  : )  I have enough secret agents spying on me and trying to intercept my ever move...I'm speaking about a music agent, promoter, manager. Many times I wished I had someone to take control of my promotions and pushing my music but it is not easy finding someone you can trust and also who will make your music their top priority and promote you with supreme dedication. It seems this type of business connection is almost unheard of...I am not a promoter, my forte is singing, writing, producing, etc. Therefore I feel I am lacking in the promotional area. I have a few other contacts that I will utilize. I will send more music out but tonight I sit here reflecting on my music, my mission and which road I must take. I once read a post someone left on my Facebook which said, when you go mainstream don't allow yourself to sell out or become a part of the rat race. Well I may not have quoted exactly as it was written but it was something to that effect and I thought about it for a while....Perhaps my destination was not meant to lead me down the mainstream corridor. Perhaps my work is meant to reach only a certain group of People and not the masses? Only time will tell. Conscious Black Music is not prevalent but it is needed. When slave masters feared slaves gaining Knowledge they made it punishable by death if slaves learned to read. They tried to keep Knowledge away from slaves by any means necessary. This is how I feel about message music. They make sure music which lacks truth and substance is dominating the charts and air waves but music which has the ability to wake the sleeping, open the eyes of those who are enslaved with mental shackles or uplift and inspire those who have already elevated their minds this type of music is often shunned and rarely reaches the masses. It's as if Conscious Black music is a plague and the mainstream Black audience avoids it at all cost. Perhaps one day we can turn on a radio station or a video channel and hear songs about Nubian Gods and Goddesses, Black Liberation, Black Love....How beautiful that would be....If you all did not know..I am a daydreamer. It is one of my favorite past times to sit and imagine. I think I will continue listening to Miles tonight while I imagine how wonderful it would be if Conscious Black music ruled the airwaves. I found a video of the song I am playing. I will add it in this blog for those of you who also listen to a little miles every now and then. Peace and Goodnight.

Conscious Plat Recording a Jazz CD?

Tonight I'm chilling and listening to Coltrane. The song playing right now is ( My Favorite Things) at this moment I'm on a natural high with Jazz music being my supplier. I am being led in the direction of recording a full Jazz album. I am not sure which part of my brain is coercing me into this venture but... :) I think I will go for it. I sing many different formats of music but Jazz takes me in a different element with my vocals. With Jazz I can be creative and free, do many different things vocally. I'm only brainstorming tonight but soon my thoughts will evolve into a new CD project. What will I name the CD? How many songs will I include and should I redo a Sarah Vaughan tune or recreate another song by a popular Jazz artist? These are the many thoughts going through my head. I'm gonna continue relaxing tonight and meditating on my plans to record this album.