tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70763129460374627862024-02-21T08:02:38.216-06:00Quiet NoiseTha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-89542728578051436152010-04-23T15:53:00.004-05:002010-04-23T15:59:51.684-05:00Florida's Modern Day Slavery<p style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lgpP4o30X2k&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lgpP4o30X2k&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></p><p style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;">"They hire somebody, who is illegal, and then they taking advantage of the labor and knowing that. It's modern day, indentured slavery."</p>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-46723061449034512272010-03-01T14:33:00.005-06:002010-04-23T16:01:51.576-05:00"Black History Year" by Tha Advakit<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9aweKKjR0vX_TRUkir6siRoKO1aVlbSxYfhXOaBYB6ayCHtEZG9Hp8MPhYmzDQ74JvAb1vqnWpXV2id6CMZTUmQSghh7vBEDR2pYumq47WEbMStfm3S_J1HNG_geJprAJnbMOeXx2I56/s1600-h/blacvkhis.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443767809223901506" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 301px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9aweKKjR0vX_TRUkir6siRoKO1aVlbSxYfhXOaBYB6ayCHtEZG9Hp8MPhYmzDQ74JvAb1vqnWpXV2id6CMZTUmQSghh7vBEDR2pYumq47WEbMStfm3S_J1HNG_geJprAJnbMOeXx2I56/s400/blacvkhis.bmp" border="0" /></a>Here we go again, another Black History Month ended//<br />I know you thinking “Oh it was splendid!” 2 days later, everybody forgetting it//<br />28 days of Black pride and power//<br />All of a sudden disappear ‘cause we hide and scour//<br />It’s not politically correct to celebrate the other month’s right?//<br />If I do it don’t excite and you uptight//<br />So, let me get this straight, society has given us a month//<br />To tell the same stories of glory; you figure that’s enough?//<br />It takes a burden off they back, now they back to the same agenda//<br />Of Eurocentric tales, our pride we surrender //<br />….our children ah learn of how Columbus was “great”//<br />And how Abe Lincoln’s the reason that we all escaped //<br />Oh, and they’ll throw in a little Martin King, Rosa Parks and Frederick//<br />Booker T. too and we take and accept it?//<br />What happen to Malcolm X, Nat Turner//<br />We hardly hear Garvey, what about Sojourner?//<br />What about Huey P., and Ida B. Wells?//<br />The day that’s in the curriculum, it’ll be a cold day in hell//<br />I believe that we’re great, and in time we’ll prevail//<br />God wouldn’t test u if he thought that you would fail//<br />We stay on the computer, Microsoft, so we’ll excel//<br />But what about the 60% of Black males in jail//<br />…and we only 5% of the population//<br />They lock us up with no hesitation, devastating//<br />I ponder, is it because of our idols?//<br />And how we stay on facebook, but don’t read the Qur'an or the Bible//<br />Type of stuff makes you wonder//<br />Our people go to jail and wear it as a badge of honor//<br />See I been living my life knowing something ain’t right//<br />‘Cause if you graduate from college they say you acting like you white//<br />Knowledge is the key to open the doors of success//<br />Gives your brain power, so mentally you flex//<br />You know the rest, if you don’t know your history you’re doomed to repeat it//<br />That’s why 11 more months of Black History is needed//<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://usershare.net/cfj18k473v83"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>LISTEN/DOWNLOAD: "Black History Year"</strong></span></a></p></div><p align="center"></p>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-20729108897282566252010-01-19T13:26:00.004-06:002010-01-19T13:45:50.973-06:00Why Are Americans So Fat!?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRWIJHZVoTcUVd1kGXZ5ZheUKDSxraOvFT28eRBw1ytyHNCXDdh31DgBF5-myjDY0J8Kk_mNAhpvY48bVe1E17-cMXAK75n8Cw35jdtJhqTZbQfT4aSxz9Pmu6CqZetfGCaBETWX4RV6Y/s1600-h/obese-americans1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428534702783241442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRWIJHZVoTcUVd1kGXZ5ZheUKDSxraOvFT28eRBw1ytyHNCXDdh31DgBF5-myjDY0J8Kk_mNAhpvY48bVe1E17-cMXAK75n8Cw35jdtJhqTZbQfT4aSxz9Pmu6CqZetfGCaBETWX4RV6Y/s400/obese-americans1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>It's no surprise that Americans are very obese. In fact, statistically, the United States is the fatttest nation in the world. Surprised? You shouldn't be. You probably have a little extra weight hanging off you right now. Don't be ashamed, most of us do. We are one of the richest countries (economically) and have some of the best technology YET we are the unhealthiest nation? Doesn't make much sense right? Something isn't adding up.<br /><br />I've touched on health on this blog more than a few times, mainly because, having knowledge doesn't do you any good from a hospital bed. Health is essential to a long prosperous life so I push for that as much as I push for equality in this crazy world we live in. It always baffles me how some of the smartest, most intelligent people in our nation can also be some of the most obese. It takes self control and patience and that is not a easy attribute to have in our country where we live so fast paced and have fast food on EVERY corner. I ran across this article on Huffington Post that I thought would help some people out who are interested in making that lifestyle change. Some of the things mentioned are things I've been doing for some months now and have worked tremendously. More specifically, eating a lot of (baked) fish and cooking my own meals. Here is the full link for those interested---->[<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/harley-pasternak/america-wasnt-born-fat-we_b_428383.html">CLICK HERE</a>]. Read below:<br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;">Right about now, a whole bunch of Americans are quitting their New Year's resolutions to lose weight -- if they haven't quit already. What a shame. Americans can't really afford to pack on any more pounds. With more than 225 million overweight people, the Unites States is the most obese country in the world, at a cost of $117 billion a year. It's an understatement to say we're facing a pandemic.<br /><br />The world's 10 leanest and longest-living nations are Japan, Singapore, China, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Greece and Israel. Why? They consume, prepare and burn their food in a manner that enables them to stay healthy and lean. Let me share examples from a few countries:<br /><br />JAPAN<br /><br />They eat mainly rice, fish and vegetables -- naturally high in carbs and fiber, low in calories and fat -- and their primary protein source is fish, high in Omega-3 fatty acids; they rarely eat the red meat Americans consume in such heart-stopping portions. Rather than sugary beverages, they drink antioxidant-rich green tea.<br /><br />The Japanese prepare their food by boiling, grilling, steaming and serving it raw.<br /><br />They burn what they consume through much more active lives than Americans. For the business of everyday life, they travel by foot.<br /><br /><br /></span></em>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-69089409712035200722010-01-18T11:30:00.004-06:002010-01-18T12:33:55.359-06:00Dr. King's Last Speech<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/APElEqI6ahw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/APElEqI6ahw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land! And so I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!!"</span><br /><br />R.I.P. to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His legacy continues to live on today in so many ways. I for one, think he would be proud of how Americans of every race, color, culture and creed have reacted to the earthquake in Haiti. I feel we have made tremendous strides as a nation, but I firmly believe we still have a long way to go. An issue that is still present, besides institutional racism, is sexism. As it has been very well documented, Dr. King, like most men during the Civil Rights Movement, would exude behavior that would force one to believe that he felt women were inferior to men. So, while fighting for the rights of Blacks, one could infer that King stunted the growth of Black women simultaneously. Furthermore, King's adulterous behavior (as documented by his colleague Ralph Albernathy) displays another side of a leader who otherwise is portrayed as being without a noticeable flaw or weakness. Despite these flaws, many would choose to overlook them, and some would even praise Dr. King, as if committing adultery and benefiting from sexism makes him "real." It is imperative to understand that a protection of a patriarchal society, then and now, does nothing to benefit our progression to the top of this metaphorical mountain top. It is finding a way to right a wrong. It is, passing a student with a grade of a "C" despite his overall percentage falling well below what would usually grant a student the grade. This behavior is something that comes as no surprise, as countless leaders, whether Black or White, reciprocated this same behavior during Dr. King's era where the media wasn't as prominent in the social lives of political figures.<br /><br />I say these facts, not to diminish this influential leader and his accomplishments, but to point out that none of us are without flaw. While we most certainly SHOULD learn from the rhetoric and overall message of Dr. King, we should also make an attempt to dissect his flaws, as to understand the vast array of issues and imperfections that are still present in ourselves, and in society as a whole.<br /><br />We are still climbing towards the mountain top...Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-52663565153172706482010-01-15T13:58:00.004-06:002010-01-15T14:32:46.571-06:00The Haiti Earthquake<p><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7_QTV936ZrM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7_QTV936ZrM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>I have no words. I'm completely speechless. I'm sure you all have long heard about this tragic event, but seeing a visual of the people on the streets like this is saddening. I can only hope and pray for everyone there, as well as those in the U.S. and across the globe that have family there that they have not heard from. I'm usually not one for randomly donating money, because I believe sharing your time with others is a lot more valuable, but in a situation like this, there doesn't really seem like there are many more options for me or most people at the moment. You can read below on how you can donate using your cell phone via <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34850532/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/">MSNBC</a>. Oh, I'd also like to give a middle finger to <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2010/01/rush-limbaughs-argument-against-sending-aid-to-haiti.html">Rush Limbaugh </a>and <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2010/01/us-televangelist-pat-robertson-links-haiti-earthquake-to-pact-with-devil.html">Pat Robertson</a> for their comments regarding this tragedy. Some people's ignorance is so great, it doesn't allow a bit of compassion to show. </p><p>-Text the word "YELE" to 501501 to donate $5 to the Yele Haiti foundation.<br />-Text the word "HAITI" to 20222 to donate $10 to the Clinton Foundation Haiti Relief Fund.<br />-Text "HAITI" to 25383 to donate $5 to the International Rescue Committee.<br />-Text "HAITI" to 85944 to donate $10 to the International Medical Corps.<br /></p>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-2148124636112117912010-01-13T10:18:00.005-06:002010-01-13T10:57:54.798-06:00Soul Food Junkies (Trailer)<p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j8Pgpr5EoVM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j8Pgpr5EoVM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Byron Hurt put together this short trailer for an upcoming documentary he's working on, on the topic of soul food. I see that he uploaded it around August of 2009, so hopefully he still plans to release it in full. The issue of health within Black (and Latino) communities is one that really needs to be brought to the forefront and hopefully this documentary does just that. In our neighborhoods, we have fried chicken establishments, McDonalds and Gyro restaurants on every corner, but we're forced to drive miles upon miles to suburban areas in order to find a moderately healthy restaurant or grocery store. Our grocery stores are often filled with filth, expired foods and a high abundance of sugary, fattening foods. Our culture encourages us to indulge in these foods that are high in fat, sodium and cholesterol simply because they taste good, and they are what's available. During slavery, we were forced to eat these foods, as they were left overs from our owners, or foods they did not want to eat themselves. However, eating these foods regularly will not equate to a long, prosperous life. Soul Food is apart of our culture, and while I don't think the food should be abandoned (it's too good to give up completely, lol), I believe it should be eaten in moderation, like other unhealthy foods. Moderation meaning, not every week or everyday. In fact, it should be noted that there are healthy alternatives to all the foods we consume and are personally addicted to. It just takes a little research. I hope through some of these post I can encourage some to not go on a diet, but go on a lifestyle change. The foods we consume in high volume (from our neighborhoods mainly) are the ones that have most of our relatives in the hospital because of high blood pressure or diabetes. I'm not asking anyone to sacrifice this food, as it is a vital part of our culture, or not eat stuffing on Thanksgiving. I'm just saying, please do it in moderation, and please make wise choices and seek alternatives.</p><p>You may recognize Byron Hurt for putting together the highly controversial (and much needed) documentary, "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes" a few years back where he tackled the issues of sexism, masculinity and homoeroticism, amongst other things, in hip hop of course. I STRONGLY encourage you all to support the man and buy the documentary [<a href="http://www.bhurt.com/beyondBeatsAndRhymes.php">HERE</a>] if you are interested in hip hop culture or are a fan of the music. It is very thought provoking. The trailer is below. </p><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gFyZd4zLYUA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gFyZd4zLYUA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-50594941720186368472010-01-08T00:03:00.002-06:002010-01-08T00:06:19.628-06:00Oscar Grant: 1 Year Later, Has Anything Changed?<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zDeH1fYrFRc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zDeH1fYrFRc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Well, answer the question, has anything changed in your opinion, regarding police brutality? Check the post I made about a year ago regarding this tragic incident [<a href="http://tinyurl.com/yg8hu8a">HERE</a>].Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-75056731863397154272010-01-07T15:11:00.002-06:002010-01-07T15:24:01.587-06:00"You Want The Chicken!" - Dave Chappelle<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZaIhf41ctkM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZaIhf41ctkM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wdGbjDr5PU8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wdGbjDr5PU8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />For the record, I don't think foreigners are any more racist than some White Americans have been in the past in the United States, or more racist than some are now. BUT, I think they are more open about it, which is good because in America it's now (somewhat) discreet and effects other facets of our life that aren't so obvious. Such as, institutional racism (i.e. economical, political, social). At least when it's out in the open (via the media) we can do a better job of correcting it and attacking it directly. Thoughts?Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-55420600092203507892010-01-04T13:14:00.006-06:002010-01-04T23:23:56.637-06:00Jay-Z's "On To The Next One" Video Broken Down<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_CUAOnCIjiE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_CUAOnCIjiE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br />This video caused A LOT of controversy upon it's release on NYE. People were on twitter making all kinds of accusations (me being one of them) based on the obvious imagery presented. Skeptics will call it "artistic" or a "coincidence" without realizing that these symbols have been in his clothes, music and other videos for years. Does anybody know for sure if Jay-Z is involved in the Illuminati and some of it's lower factions? Sure, but they aren't the ones debating online so it's not helping any of our arguments. And the ones that have been saying it for years now (Prodigy, Jaz-O, etc) come off as jealous hasbeens so no one believes them. I'm not telling you what to believe, but please, don't be naive. You have to ultimately ask yourself "Why is he putting these images in a upbeat/club songs video?" Even if you do believe he is, but you don't care, you may ask "How does this even effect me?" Well, it may not effect you directly right now. But one day you'll have kids (if you don't already) and I know I wouldn't want them watching this video 20 times a day on BET/MTV. <br /><br />Again, I don't want to tell anyone how to think. I just want to put the facts out there and encourage everyone to really look below the surface. In closing, I'd like to use this as an example. As a college student, I was around Greek members on a regular basis. In fact, I'm friends with some of them. Being around them constantly, I've become aware of certain gestures and steps they do together to celebrate their brother/sisterhood. Seeing as how I am NOT a Greek member, however, I would not wake up one day, make a (rap) video dressed in their colors and symbols and flash imagery related to the fraternity/sorority. Why? Because it's disrespectful and there would probably be some repercussions. I would though, under one circumstance...if I was myself a Greek member...Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-25838917049452738522009-12-29T10:52:00.005-06:002009-12-29T11:17:24.199-06:002010 Handbook<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya-Z1vWKMJykht00Wevr75vzfpSdc_rwmalIkBgpODGt1M2wJajiKGJ55x7S5-q41OA7uTIslCnAVu8GXyaz3soUr4MvO1K3s7UUxntSFL9xvGszkIPC69z8ixAPRSuKwAzyhHZCKvMqC/s1600-h/2010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420702256377647202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya-Z1vWKMJykht00Wevr75vzfpSdc_rwmalIkBgpODGt1M2wJajiKGJ55x7S5-q41OA7uTIslCnAVu8GXyaz3soUr4MvO1K3s7UUxntSFL9xvGszkIPC69z8ixAPRSuKwAzyhHZCKvMqC/s400/2010.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div>As I've gotten older, I've generally stepped away from making New Years resolutions. Partly because, no one can just all of a sudden stop a bad habit one day and then the next live as if they came into contact with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoezvmZZ440">Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in MIB</a>. Growth is about gradual change, so I moreso try get rid of my personal vices throughout the year and when the New Year comes, I try to continue on that path. Some years your resolutions stick with you, and some years they don't. I've vowed to eat better and healthier for a couple years now, but it took until this past September for me to finally stick to it.<br /><br />I'm not downing New Year's resolution, because psychologically, they are necessary because a new year gives us a feeling of "newness" for lack of a better term. Subconsciously, it makes us believe that we have a clean slate. The most obvious correlation would be with Christianity's communion ritual. Christians (such as myself) partake in this ritual not just to say "phew, Jesus forgave me again, now I can go back to doing ____ again because I KNOW I'll be forgiven," but rather to say, "I know I've sinned this past month, and I am going to make the effort to not make the same mistakes."<br /><br />So, let's be honest with ourselves, we're probably going to have some set backs with our "resolutions" but if we attempt to make these changes today, at some point in 2010 (or later), these "resolutions" will be resolved. This all stems from me receiving this e-mail at work from my supervisor and I thought it contained some useful information. Check it out and pass it along:<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">HANDBOOK 2010<br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffff33;">Health:</span></strong><br />1. Drink plenty of water.<br />2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.<br />3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.. 4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy<br />5. Make time to pray.<br />6. Play more games<br />7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .<br />8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day<br />9. Sleep for 7 hours.<br />10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><strong>Personality:<br /></strong></span>11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.<br />12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.<br />13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.<br />14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.<br />15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.<br />16. Dream more while you are awake<br />17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..<br />18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.<br />19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.<br />20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.<br />21.. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.<br />22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.<br />23. Smile and laugh more.<br />24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;">Society:<br /></span>25. Call your family often.<br />26. Each day give something good to others.<br />27. Forgive everyone for everything..<br />28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.<br />29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.<br />30. What other people think of you is none of your business.<br />31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><strong>Life:<br /></strong></span>32. Do the right thing!<br />33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.<br />34. GOD heals everything.<br />35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..<br />36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.<br />37. The best is yet to come..<br />38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.<br />39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><strong>Last but not the least:<br /></strong></span>40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about.Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-52593191142055287142009-12-17T10:07:00.004-06:002009-12-17T11:22:17.881-06:00Prison: A Fortune 500 Business<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINQ4N6QtR_Wm6njbLWCZxBiNO_5_P_opv5gu0kF8L9WJ1jdVC1hjGmJ4rgdliPkncXGNlTi-YErlIO68jY3mjaJsxG_BxevP-yK7-6uHpS5jpxYxPudbnD9DXdNs7ZaUraB7VsNUTn0dF/s1600-h/blacks_in_prison.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416239335795896546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINQ4N6QtR_Wm6njbLWCZxBiNO_5_P_opv5gu0kF8L9WJ1jdVC1hjGmJ4rgdliPkncXGNlTi-YErlIO68jY3mjaJsxG_BxevP-yK7-6uHpS5jpxYxPudbnD9DXdNs7ZaUraB7VsNUTn0dF/s400/blacks_in_prison.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p><br />According to CNN (<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/12/17/prisoner.early.release/index.html">read here</a>):<br /><br /><em>"As budget deficits grow and the economy tumbles, governors and legislators are cutting costs by allowing inmates, mostly low-risk offenders, to leave prison earlier than laws previously permitted. Nationwide, more states are beginning to release thousands of inmates early by increasing "time off" provisions."</em><br /><br />This is further proof that the justice system in America is complete b.s. So let me see if I got this right. It's ok to lock up people (who are OVERWHELMINGLY minority) and use them for cheap labor when it's beneficial to the economy, but when the economy begins to falter, "criminals" can be released as a way to save money? So, because we as a country are broke, that makes crimes less criminal? Granted, some who are in prison are in for a valid reason, and THUS should NOT be released as a way to save money (particularly those who commited violent acts or rape i.m.o.), but let's not ignore the statistics people. According to <a href="http://www.prisonpolicy.org/news/crisis_july2002.html">prisonpolicy.org</a>:<br /><br /><em>"At the start of Reagan's administration in 1980, there were approximately 501,886 prisoners in the nation's prisons and jails, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.<strong> In June 2001, there were 1,800,300, a nearly four-fold increase, according to the agency's data. Of this number, 803,400 were Black males and 69,500 were Black females."</strong></em><strong><br /></strong><br />Black's account for nearly HALF of the prison population (<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2002-2/420/420_12_JailsVCollege.shtml">there's more Black males in prison than college</a>) and only about 13% of the overall population. Futhermore, a majority of the minorities (specifically Black males) are in prison because of non-violent drug offenses. In particular, crack offenses. So when I read on CNN that the government is releasing prisoners for non-violent offenses to SAVE MONEY I'm nothing short of appalled and infuriated. It makes me think, maybe these individuals should have received an alternative method of punishment for their involvment in narcotics when they were first arrested, or possibly counseling. Maybe if more job opportunities were in their community none of this would be a problem, because a long-term prison system did not, and doesn't seem to help. Oh, and <a href="http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=LqgQWZ6GTGmQdpxPDktG4bZ2XvJxpCyhtrdk2yjTCzQfbYkshfr2!1787124187!522367189?docId=5000470681">check this out</a>:<br /><br /><em>"The increase in the rates of incarceration of young black males is due primarily to the focus of the "war on drugs" on black drug users. <strong>For drug offenses, the African American proportion of arrests increased from 24% in 1980 to 39% in 1993, even though African Americans comprise only 13% of monthly drug users.</strong> From 1986 to 1990, the number of minority jail inmates increased more than twice as fast as the number of white inmates, and the increase in the number of arrests of minorities for drug offenses was almost ten times the increase in arrests of white drug offenders."</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.drugpolicy.org/drugwar/mandatorymin/crackpowder.cfm">Furthermore:<br /></a><br /><em>"Distribution of just <strong>five grams of crack cocaine yields a five year mandatory minimum sentence, while it takes 500 grams of powder cocaine to trigger the same five year sentence</strong>. Crack cocaine is the only drug for which there is a federal mandatory minimum sentence for mere possession."</em><br /><br />Oh, and <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15885119">4/5's of all crack offenders are black.<br /></a><br /><br />Ah, what the hell, let me throw some more facts out there:<br /><br />-<em>Of the 253,300 state prison inmates serving time for drug offenses at yearend 2005, 113,500 (44.8%) were black, 51,100 (20.2%) were Hispanic, and 72,300 (28.5%) were white.<br /><br />-Nationwide, black men are sent to prison on drug charges at 13 times the rate of white men.<br /><br /></em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Want more stats? Click [</span><a href="http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/node/64"><span style="color:#ffff33;">HERE</span></a><span style="color:#ffff33;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">]</span><br /></span><br />So, you lock us up when it's convenient for YOU and YOUR dollar huh? But now that everybody is suffering you all of a sudden want to change things up? It's a truth I already knew was present, but now it's even more evident, and it's quite despicable I might add. The justice system is a JOKE. Again, notice, these drug offenses rose during the Reagan and Bush administrations. And, although I was previously critical of Obama sending more troops to Iraq, I commend him for doing this --> [<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/obama-crack-sentencing-la_n_192799.html">Click Here</a>] </p><p></p><br />Maybe if more money was spent on education, none of this would even be a problem. Last I heard, CPS (Chicago Public Schools) received 10K per student, while some surburban schools receive upwards of 18K. Oh, and <a href="http://www.heartsandminds.org/prisons/facts.htm">it cost 22K (yearly) to maintain a prisoner</a>. I think it's time to reprioritize...Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-6354970954966345902009-12-16T23:24:00.002-06:002009-12-29T11:20:34.790-06:00Police Cover-Ups: "Hate Crimes"<p align="center"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yAuDo8L7YHI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yAuDo8L7YHI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Black man kills dogs = 2 years. White men kill a Latino man = 7 months. Try and tell me something ain't wrong with that. Props to the homie <a href="http://www.twitter.com/clifsoulo">Clif Soulo.</a></p>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-73307330866727527792009-12-14T19:48:00.003-06:002009-12-14T20:00:14.706-06:00Loon Speaks on Why He Chose Islam Over Rap<p align="center"><embed src="http://dimewars.com/flashmedia/secureflvplayer.swf" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" flashvars="file=http://dimewars.com/GetSecureVideo.aspx?BCMEDIAID=688a5999-568c-481c-9d24-2bbddbfe1bc9&autostart=false&allowScriptAccess=true&shuffle=false&linkfromdisplay=true&linktarget=_blank&usefullscreen=true&rotatetime=5&logo=http://www.dimewars.com/MediaShare/dwlogo_embed.png&backcolor=0x000000&frontcolor=0xffffff&lightcolor=0xC10505&streamer=rtmp://ec2-67-202-18-233.compute-1.amazonaws.com/securetoken" width="425" height="344"></embed></p><div style="text-align: center; width: 425px;"> <a href="http://www.dimewars.com/video"></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"> I have to say, Loon has done a very noble thing by walking away from the temptations of the industry to devote his life to Islam. Although one could argue that he wasn't worth much anymore since he was no longer affiliated with Diddy, the point still stands, his decision is one that not many would make. I take him a little more serious than I did Ma$e who has returned to rap 20 times since becoming a minister. Well, I'd say there's nothing wrong with rapping, or being in the industry if you remain true to the faith you promote, but from what I've heard from Ma$e, he hasn't. I may be wrong though *shrug*<br /><br />Nevertheless, Loon outlines just why he did what he did and he makes some very good points. You have to wonder how some record label execs and artist can live with themselves at night knowing they just cheated someone out of _____ amount of dollars or knowing they sacrificed their morale, dignity or even manhood for money, something superficial. To each its on though, and much respect to all religions and beliefs.</p>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-77781693186201231682009-12-01T13:05:00.004-06:002009-12-01T13:18:31.517-06:00The Hip-Hop Commandments<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljNBOTwqSpDKy4JkDqiXmFWoF7k8tA9IUBklrMpJW9hfTAhVszow1RgqUQ_vOklhlyjGwCuPPs-xiQ3BKQg5Q_dXaC5CU2jVEMr76eh1IPOq_CrmeoXbVUWaqgDc5RXlmgqK51H2HfoH1/s1600/august_2005_41.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410346308263200498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 365px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljNBOTwqSpDKy4JkDqiXmFWoF7k8tA9IUBklrMpJW9hfTAhVszow1RgqUQ_vOklhlyjGwCuPPs-xiQ3BKQg5Q_dXaC5CU2jVEMr76eh1IPOq_CrmeoXbVUWaqgDc5RXlmgqK51H2HfoH1/s400/august_2005_41.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I came across this on twitter today and HAD to post it because I agree with every point. It feels good to come across people who think like you and have similiar mindstates from time to time. I would only hope and pray that someone (rapper or fan) would read this and challenge the content that we are subjected to daily. I'm not saying I don't sometimes listen to the very music that I condemn, because I do, and I contradict myself at times, but when I listen, I always do it with a critical ear. I feel as though many of my peers (in my age group) are able to decipher through most of the messages and not take them literally; but what about those 13 year old girls or boys that look up to these rappers? I believe you should feed your brain a healthy diet. For every Lil Wayne song you listen to, listen to something empowering, like Lupe Fiasco, or BlackStar. Ok, I'll get down from my podium now, check out "hip-hop commandments" as said by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cthagod">Charlamagne Tha God</a>:<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">10. Thou must not promote all things ghetto Your lyrics should not celebrate the ghetto life by reminiscing about days in poverty, your mother on welfare and your father not being there. Instead of celebrating and embracing the poverty, crime and ignorance of the ghetto, we should be encouraging our people to move on up out of the ghetto like the Jeffersons.<br /><br />9. Thou must advocate anything of social redeeming value Your lyrics should reflect that you are aware of the social, political and economic reality of your community. The consumer should assume that you read more than the Source or XXL.<br /><br />8. Thou shall have a sense of history MC's should refer to historical events that may cause the listener to think about his or her relation to history. Your role is to entertain and educate. Instead of mentioning names like Jacob the Jeweler and Versace, mention names like W.E.B. Dubois and Louis Farrakhan.<br /><br />7. Thou must not worship money and bling-bling You must not talk about money and bling-bling as if it were a living, breathing thing. Your lyrics should not put money and bling-bling over love, women or religion. (See next commandment.)<br /><br />6. Thou must talk about God and spirituality MC's should not condone atheism and a false belief system that does not acknowledge the existence of a higher being. You should promote the spiritual beliefs that may have been instilled in you by family. Especially being that the first thing rappers say when they win an award is: "I want to thank God."<br /><br />5. Thou must not celebrate the drug culture Drugs are destroying the black community. There isn't a dope boy in the country who wants to be a dope boy. The trap is just that: a trap. You'll either end up in jail or dead. It's like playing Russian roulette with your life. Trap or die? You might as well die, because in the trap you're killing yourself and your community.<br /><br />4. Thou must not promote promiscuity MC's should promote a deep sense of love and marriage. You should talk about commitment, bonding and intimacy. Plus rappers talk about having lots of sex, but not about the fact that blacks represent 57 percent of all new AIDS cases in the U.S. even though we only make up 13 percent of the population.<br /><br />3. Thou must not lust after things that don't belong to us By keeping this commitment, you promise to promote a strong work ethic in your music and speak out against greed, lust and impulsive behavior. Besides, robbery and rape carry a lot of time.<br /><br />2. Thou must not kill MC's should not lyrically take the life of another black person in order to secure a hit CD. If the artist doesn't value the life of someone else on a record, then the consumer he influences won't value the life of someone else in the street.<br /><br />1. Thou must not disrespect black women Women are not our sexual play toys; they are the greatest natural resource on the planet. Without them, we can't create life.. ... Instead of disrespecting black women, empower them by letting them know they are queens, mothers of the planet Earth and that their purpose (is beyond) shaking their (butts) in music videos.</span></em>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-88464485100122557132009-10-16T13:33:00.004-05:002009-10-16T13:53:25.884-05:00"Racism Still Alive, They Just Be Concealing it" - K.West<p><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DqYUIrYsMvY&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DqYUIrYsMvY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>This woman was arrested for cutting a line at Wal-Mart and allegedly assaulting a police officer. She faces up to 15 years...yep...15 years. She was then handed a KKK card by a police officer that said "the next visit won't be social." I don't know what to say expect, it was nice of him to issue a warning. Quite professional I might add...<br /><br />You can read more about [<a href="http://www.bvblackspin.com/2009/10/12/woman-faces-15-years-for-cutting-line-at-walmart-kkk-involved">HERE</a>] </p><p>Moving along...a interracial couple in Louisiana is denied a marriage license by the 'justice of peace' because of the fear that they will have biracial children. Yep...gotta keep that blood pure don't you? Gotta love how the 'justice of PEACE' denied it (and has done so about 4 times prior). You have to love the irony in that! Don't be alarmed though, he's not racist; he has black friends as he states. Kudos to him...</p><p>You can read about that [<a href="http://globalgrind.com/source/www.huffingtonpost.com/1064938/interracial-couple-denied-marriage-license">HERE</a>]</p>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-31946865928955503992009-10-12T11:43:00.004-05:002009-10-12T12:02:33.876-05:00Reconsider Columbus Day<p align="center"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/il5hwpdJMcg&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/il5hwpdJMcg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><p align="left">I remember being a young child in elementary school, actually believing Columbus "discovered" America. I looked at October 12th as a day off of school and like any other kid, I wasn't going to complain! Now, I look at Elementary/high school as a 12 step brainwashing program to make young children "patriotic"...but I digress. It wasn't until I was in high school and I became more of a critical thinker did I realize and learn that Columbus was a heinous murderer like many European explorers during that time. His conquest (almost) led to the slaughter of an entire race and culture of people; whom are often forgotten about when people mention the "forefathers." His conquest also led to slavery, which is something rarely, if ever, mentioned in conjunction with his expedition. If anything, we should all take time on October 12th every year, to recognize what Columbus REALLY stood for and revel in the unjust hypocrisy this countries foundation is built on.<br /><br /><em>However, this should only be done until we can turn October 12th into what it should be recognized as; a holiday to honor and respect Native Americans/indigenous peoples. I encourage you all that are reading this to sign the petition on the link provided below. And like Chris Berman so eloquently mentioned on last nights Sportscenter (repeatedly), "Have a wonderful Columbus Day!" *notice the sarcasm*</em><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Petition:</span></strong> <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/indian/petition.html"><strong>http://www.petitiononline.com/indian/petition.html</strong></a></p>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-37387491125618384402009-10-08T23:11:00.005-05:002009-10-08T23:25:11.913-05:00The Jackson "Jive" Performs in Black Face<p align="center"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zmaF7Pys7OI&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zmaF7Pys7OI&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">This is just ridiculous and quite sad. THIS is how people in other countries/continents (Australia) view black people (well, people in our own country still view us like this as well). As jokes, as coons, and it's virtually accepted and deemed as appropriate. We kill each other in our community and outside of our community we are still defamed and made a mockery of. What baffles me is, they've been doing this routine for 20 years and they're also all doctors. So you mean to tell me, educated individuals such as themselves didn't see anything wrong with this? Furthermore, the host apologizes because he understands it's offensive? Really? How much do you understand if you're allowing it to continue? Much respect to Harry Conick Jr. for speaking up on this matter (5:45 mark). Read about the story in full on CNN's site [</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/08/harry.connick.blackface/index.html">HERE</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">]. The modern day <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minstrel_show">minstrel shows</a> continues...<br /></span></p>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-59571735712814436392009-10-06T12:39:00.004-05:002009-10-07T09:40:40.590-05:00"A Message To My Brothas"<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FEwRu5_6dZa_hlA1FW0dTmHp-dS300v9SS9n54klUlM4KFaFrmhngntVRdmPPLwzxrxm3ccTyqVY4CxnngWCUIAxcirD5dQFXEC1yz4u3_yh0_710Vc2Mj5WVIA4l1vUZt_FISeuy8mK/s1600-h/DerrionAlbertMurder.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389543163329611778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FEwRu5_6dZa_hlA1FW0dTmHp-dS300v9SS9n54klUlM4KFaFrmhngntVRdmPPLwzxrxm3ccTyqVY4CxnngWCUIAxcirD5dQFXEC1yz4u3_yh0_710Vc2Mj5WVIA4l1vUZt_FISeuy8mK/s400/DerrionAlbertMurder.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Like most throughout the city, and the country, my heart is still heavy after watching the video of Derrion Albert being beaten to death. What makes this situation worse is the fact that since it has happened, the violence in our communities hasn't slowed down one bit. It's so much that needs to be done, but it's hard to really pinpoint where one should start. As a hip-hop artist who is well indulged in the cultures (unofficial) 5th element (knowledge/being informed), I feel it is only right that I speak on this matter in the best way I know how, in song. I hope by doing this, I can provoke some you all to make a change in your respective communites. Because, I do realize that this piece of spoken word won't reach who it needs to online, so it is up to us to march forward. This has nothing to do with rap, because it's bigger than that. Inconjuction with my place of employment, I have been doing some work with the youth in the Roseland community, but we NEED more help. So, I invite anyone in the Chicago area who is genuinely down to making a change to e-mail me at Tha.Advakit@gmail.com. PEACE!</strong> </div><div align="left"> </div><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="color:#ffff33;">Be sure to check out the song/spoken word piece I did in regards to this below...</span></em><br /><br /><strong>"A Message To My Brothas"<br /><br /><a href="http://limelinx.com/files/2f02dd9d7a89b20b94e71a2219479d78">http://limelinx.com/files/2f02dd9d7a89b20b94e71a2219479d78</a></strong></div>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-4007217139809296922009-09-01T11:13:00.005-05:002009-09-01T11:33:37.494-05:00R.I.P. Robert "Yummy" Sandifer 3/12/1983 - 9/1/1994<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJtjcUKLcylhip8mXFIHtBaGQ8kDZe3MB9nJjkreHgcVzCOs-REoOy0fby1UTQuGd4AkLzngRP6gT_clh95PJfDo3HvegYxkIiwvXmlsX3u_dLhALmIgfymMNVavfzf7jkiE2xdKUXeL2/s1600-h/yummy+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJtjcUKLcylhip8mXFIHtBaGQ8kDZe3MB9nJjkreHgcVzCOs-REoOy0fby1UTQuGd4AkLzngRP6gT_clh95PJfDo3HvegYxkIiwvXmlsX3u_dLhALmIgfymMNVavfzf7jkiE2xdKUXeL2/s400/yummy+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376533095462446562" border="0" /></a><br />Today, September 1st, marks the 15th anniversary of the death of Robert "Yummy" Sandifer. "Yummy" as he was affectionately called because of his love for sweets, was a young child, who died at 11, partly because he was a misguided youth without direction, who got caught up in the gang culture on the southside of Chicago. Yummy was gun downed by his fellow gang members because when he was instructed to kill a rival gang member, he failed to do so and killed an(other) innocent child, making his gang a target of the Chicago police force. Because of this, he was brutality gunned down in the area of Roseland. Unfortunately, although this happened 15 years ago, this trend has not stopped. Most from Chicago will tell you that they know a young man similar to Yummy now, or maybe they were that child. The sad reality in Chicago, and other inner cities, is that children grow up believing that your options are either, joining a gang, or playing basketball. And when most of our males, and children in general, lack guidance from their fathers, they are more likely to get caught up in what Lupe called "the cool." Even though I'm from the southside, I didn't learn about this story until about a year ago while I was browsing on FakeShoreDrive and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. I'm in grad school now, and when I get my teaching degree, my main goal is to go back into the city where I was born and help our children go down the right path and reach their full potential. Oh yeah, I wrote a song about Yummy too (something Tupac has also done), but really, I just want YOU to learn about him, whether you read the TIME article or check out my song. PEACE!<br /><br />Read the <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981460,00.html">TIME article HERE</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Download/Listen to song:</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://usershare.net/u2u45vinf5ls"> "Pour A Lil Liquor"</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> by Tha Advakit</span><br /></div><br /><br />Special thanks to ALL the sites that have posted this story and my song:<br /><a href="http://fakeshoredrive.com/2009/08/tha-advakit-pour-lil-liquor-dedication.html#comments"><br />FakeShoreDrive</a><br /><a href="http://thehiphopupdate.blogspot.com/2009/08/tha-advakit-pour-lil-liquor-rip-yummy.html">TheHipHopUpdate</a><br /><a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/gowhere-hip-hop/2009/08/jay-greedy-is-matched-with-raheem-devaughn-for-latest-remix.html">GoWhereHipHop</a><br /><a href="http://subscribe2this.blogspot.com/2009/08/advakit-pour-little-liquor-rip-yummy.html">SoSnewty</a><br /><a href="http://dudegotbars.blogspot.com/2009/09/pour-lil-liquor-by-tha-advakit.html">DudeGotBars</a>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-23993357003514394392009-08-18T10:34:00.002-05:002009-08-18T10:41:26.413-05:00Man Carries Assault Rifle to Obama Protest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfi3r3p3ghBzmgQ1M869iD1CZLg042RLBuOfiR0kRPVf4mLWCbM5DOQlaBw32RQ4rdaNKsQWELFo83pNnc9g1gSlePUph0pTzP1G0wkc6bsTr-RWFXSWBBSOsrMoICj4GEma3tdtLONZZ/s1600-h/art.obama.gun.pool.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfi3r3p3ghBzmgQ1M869iD1CZLg042RLBuOfiR0kRPVf4mLWCbM5DOQlaBw32RQ4rdaNKsQWELFo83pNnc9g1gSlePUph0pTzP1G0wkc6bsTr-RWFXSWBBSOsrMoICj4GEma3tdtLONZZ/s400/art.obama.gun.pool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371327813710465634" border="0" /></a> At this point, it seems like someone wants to see something bad happen to Obama. I don't care if you're not breaking the law, you should not have a gun/weapon around Obama at any time, especially a rifle as large as this. I try not to always bring race into the equation (as if you could tell from my previous post, ha!) but seeing that it's a black man that's doing this is quite disturbing to me. Arizona is quite conservative and the home of John McCain so I guess it shouldn't be that much of a surprise. CNN reports:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">PHOENIX, Arizona (CNN) -- A man toting an assault rifle was among a dozen protesters carrying weapons while demonstrating outside President Obama's speech to veterans on Monday, but no laws were broken. It was the second instance in recent days in which weapons have been seen near presidential events.<br />A man is shown legally carrying a rifle at a protest against President Obama on Monday in Phoenix, Arizona.<br /><br />A man is shown legally carrying a rifle at a protest against President Obama on Monday in Phoenix, Arizona.<br /><br />Video from CNN affiliate KNXV shows the man standing with other protesters, with the rifle slung over his right shoulder, a handgun in a holster on his left hip and a bullet clip in his back pocket.<br /><br />"I'm exercising my rights as an American in Arizona," the man, who refused to give his name, told KNXV.<br /><br />Phoenix police said authorities monitored about a dozen people carrying weapons while peacefully demonstrating.<br /><br />"It was a group interested in exercising the right to bear arms," police spokesman Sgt. Andy Hill said.<br /><br />Arizona law has nothing in the books regulating assault rifles, and only requires permits for carrying concealed weapons. So despite the man's proximity to the president, there were no charges or arrests to be made. Hill said officers explained the law to some people who were upset about the presence of weapons at the protest. Video Watch the rifle being legally carried at rally »<br /><br />"I come from another state where 'open carry' is legal, but no one does it, so the police don't really know about it and they harass people, arrest people falsely," the man said. "I think that people need to get out and do it more so that they get kind of conditioned to it."<br /><br />The man, wearing a shirt and tie at the health care rally, added that he was unhappy with some health care reform proposals.<br /><br />"I'm absolutely, totally against health care, health care in this way, in this manner," he said. "Stealing it from people, I don't think that's appropriate."<br /><br />Gun-toting protesters have demonstrated around the president before. Last week, a man protesting outside Obama's town hall meeting in New Hampshire had a gun strapped to his thigh. That state also doesn't require a license for open carry.<br />Don't Miss<br /><br />U.S. Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan acknowledged the incidents in New Hampshire and Arizona, but said he was not aware of any other recent events where protesters attended with open weapons. He said there was no indication that anyone had organized the incidents.<br /><br />Asked whether the individuals carrying weapons jeopardized the safety of the president, Donovan said, "Of course not."<br /><br />The individuals would never have gotten close to the president, regardless of any state laws on openly carrying weapons, he said. A venue is considered a federal site when the Secret Service is protecting the president, and weapons are not allowed on a federal site, he said.<br />advertisement<br /><br />In both instances, the men carrying weapons were outside the venues where Obama was speaking.<br /><br />"We pay attention to this obviously ... to someone with a firearm when they open carry even when they are within state law," Donovan said. "We work with our law enforcement counterparts to make sure laws and regulations in their states are enforced."</span>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-62754278755710857842009-08-13T11:38:00.002-05:002009-08-13T11:53:51.895-05:00Rapper Gets Two Years in Prison for "Kill Me a Cop" Song<p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lsVKh69qR9g&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lsVKh69qR9g&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p>In theory, this song is a threat, so in that sense, it's wrong, but there have been worse songs in the history in hip hop with the same theme and the penalty then didn't go past the government attempting to censor it. I guess what seperates this one from the pack is the fact that he specifically mentions the cops names. My take on things like this is, yes, the message is conflicted and disturbing, but songs like this are a s a cry for help. Instead of imprisoning minorities for relaying messages like this, those who take offense should take a second to dissect the message to better understand where the artist is coming from. They should ask, "Why would he even feel the need to make song like this?" Or "What's the motivation for this song?" I don't agree with the way some rappers attempt to get their point across or how they verbalize their struggle by glorifying the negative aspects, but there is a reason why they even feel the need to rap about these issues it in the first place; they are products of their environment. Another thing that bothers me is the fact that historically, people have gotten less time for harsher offenses, such as actually KILLING someone (like NFL player Donte Stallworth, who got 24 days in prison). I guess he can't make a good case for himself when his prior offense was cocaine related but whatever. Read the story below (<a href="http://www.rttnews.com/Content/CanadianNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1037600">source</a>):<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Florida rapper Antavio Johnson has been sentenced to two years in prison for his song "Kill Me a Cop", which he produced as a teenager.<br /></em><br /></span><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Johnson wrote the song in response to harassment he received from two Florida police officers. In the song, Johnson specifically mentions the two officers - one male and one female - by name, saying they would be shot with a "glock" in the "dome" if they "get my timing wrong."<br /><br />After the song was completed, Johnson put it up on his MySpace page, and authorities stumbled across it while looking for gang-related activity on MySpace. The song was never played on the radio.<br /><br />The 20-year-old is already serving time for violating probation related to cocaine use.<br /><br />Johnson has received some support from the American Civil Liberties Union, saying that while Johnson's lyrics might disturb, "We [shouldn't] punish bad thoughts in America."</span></em><br /><br /></p>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-31935307682813022962009-08-13T10:26:00.004-05:002009-08-13T10:33:01.858-05:00Teen Girl Shot in the Head<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3srfK1ICr1xzQRzbA3wL4hwOYutRyAwQtq84Z-FqxDIdtb925UYRGcxRGAAJmdg7Rb-uKkxoWTVTbdjQpGkVj8-r-XDqh9Vyi3w8ZJF6I9p_ClsaT_g4BPHjNUnOe_oZ5DiL16le95Zd/s1600-h/gun-violence.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369470391152614658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3srfK1ICr1xzQRzbA3wL4hwOYutRyAwQtq84Z-FqxDIdtb925UYRGcxRGAAJmdg7Rb-uKkxoWTVTbdjQpGkVj8-r-XDqh9Vyi3w8ZJF6I9p_ClsaT_g4BPHjNUnOe_oZ5DiL16le95Zd/s400/gun-violence.jpg" border="0" /></a> I grew up about 2 miles south of where this occurred. Very sad. I need to find some more positive news to post, this stuff is depressing. Read below, from the <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1714370,w-teen-girl-shooting-far-south-side-081209.article">Chicago Sun-Times</a>:<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">A 15-year-old Chicago girl was shot in the head outside her Far South Side home Wednesday as she shielded a younger relative from gunfire.<br /><br />The girl was in critical condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center after being shot about 8 pm. in the 11000 block of South Normal, officials said.<br /><br />Police said there was an argument between the occupants of two vehicles when shots were fired. The girl was not the intended target, police said. It was unknown whether the vehicles were moving when shots were fired.<br /><br />Claudia Lanfair, who lives near the victim, said she called police after hearing about five or six shots.<br /><br />"At first, it sounded like a firecracker. There were too many coming too fast," she said. "I'm like, 'That's no firecracker.' "<br /><br />She heard a cry from the girl's older sister and went to her window to see the girl lying on the ground, she said. "When I went to the window, her sister was screaming at the top of her lungs."<br /><br />She said the girl is among the children who play with her 11-year-old son on the street.<br /><br />Calumet Area detectives are investigating.</span></em>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-17695097518627311932009-08-13T10:19:00.004-05:002009-08-13T10:25:57.157-05:00Woman Takes Too Long to Get License & Insurance; Get's Tasered<embed src="http://xml.truveo.com/eb/i/132160230/a/57567d194138c502f2633651dab5bb38/p/1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width=" 425" height=" 349" menu="false" flashvars="height= 349&width= 425&autostart=false&autoscroll=false&showstop=false&showicons=false&showdigits=total&controlbar=34&backcolor=0xFFFFFF&screencolor=0x000000&frontcolor=0xDEDEDE&lightcolor=0x00A2FF&logo=http%3A//www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/data/images/ireport_wm.gif&file=http%3A%2F%2Fht.cdn.turner.com%2Fireport%2Fbig%2Fprod%2F2009%2F07%2F18%2FWE00299386%2F1010298%2Fvideoflv-1010298_web_flv.flv&image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/ireport/sm/prod/2009/07/18/WE00299386/1010298/videoflv-1010298_sm.jpg"></embed><br />As I said in the previous post, "Police don't have the best relationship with blacks, and the evidence is shown historically and even in the present day." This full video was uploaded online last month and based on the date it occured roughly 3 years ago. The thing that riles me up the most is that the police clearly said, "You were doing 70 in a 65." Last time I checked, you were legally allowed to do 5 mph over the limit. Ridiculous...Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-39857163264071159952009-08-13T09:56:00.004-05:002009-08-13T10:16:22.731-05:00Man Has Gun at Obama Rally, Police Let Him Stay<iframe src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/32378192#32378192" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="339"></iframe> <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 5px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; WIDTH: 425px; COLOR: #999; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Visit msnbc.com for <a style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal! important; COLOR: #5799db! important; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999 1px dotted; HEIGHT: 13px; TEXT-DECORATION: none! important" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/">Breaking News</a>, <a style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal! important; COLOR: #5799db! important; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999 1px dotted; HEIGHT: 13px; TEXT-DECORATION: none! important" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507">World News</a>, and <a style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal! important; COLOR: #5799db! important; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999 1px dotted; HEIGHT: 13px; TEXT-DECORATION: none! important" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072">News about the Economy</a></p><br /><p>This is completely absurd. There is not a doubt in my mind as a young black man in America that if I attended a Bush rally with a fully loaded gun, I would be thrown to the grown, beaten, tasered, etc, etc. Police don't have the best relationship with blacks, and the evidence is shown historically and even in the present day.</p><p>Even though it's legal to have a licensed gun displayed in New Hampshire, there is no reason why it should be allowed while in the presence of a president/political figure, especially the nations first Black president; a man who receives death threats on a regular basis simply because there are some people who still can't seem to grasp the fact that a Black man holds the nations highest office. Chris Matthews called out this ignorant man and I commend him for that. You can read more on this issue on AOL Black Voices [<a href="http://www.bvblackspin.com/2009/08/11/obama-town-hall-protester-with-gun/">HERE</a>]. </p>Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076312946037462786.post-41511233573507104742009-08-10T11:20:00.004-05:002009-08-10T11:56:00.866-05:00Sonia Sotomayor Becomes First Latina/o Supreme Court Justice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCFHLfwNZDcwDLyzR8R7ZSy2ytmLWeiRJ9-87VAdvbKzI3d5VxVNoU0o0xPqQZBXtsWCEaDxo8aKJGtaAc5kb_UdTx5Wp1lApqABnRR516I-k7sslWTULpnv_EXFrmo0VeH-v0klMPyZ0/s1600-h/2009081000480_0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368371008098601490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCFHLfwNZDcwDLyzR8R7ZSy2ytmLWeiRJ9-87VAdvbKzI3d5VxVNoU0o0xPqQZBXtsWCEaDxo8aKJGtaAc5kb_UdTx5Wp1lApqABnRR516I-k7sslWTULpnv_EXFrmo0VeH-v0klMPyZ0/s400/2009081000480_0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>This is an amazing achievement, and despite all of the blatant racism that has been occurring since Obama's election, it shows that some of us really do want change and are progressing in the right direction. Although she faced many detractors (i.e. Pat Buchanan) who felt as though she wasn't qualified, in my opinion, mainly because she is a minority as well as a woman, she defied the odds. Many conservatives seem to believe she is a beneficiary of affirmative action despite her long list of achievements (being an alumni of Princeton and Yale University being two of them). However, I find it odd that the same opponents of Sotomayor fail to discuss the UIUC (my alma mater) case of <a href="http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/06/u-of-i-suspends-clout-list.html">admitting students based on clout</a>. That, in my opinion, is affirmative action for you, but i digress.<br /><br />I commend Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor, as this is a great day in American history as we continue to strive for equality throughout society. As of August 8th 2009, Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina/o Supreme Court Justice. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurgood_Marshall">Thurgood Marshall </a>would be proud...<br /><br />You can read an official press release about this [<a href="http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/08/10/2009081000570.html">HERE</a>].Tha Advakithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14141435926854374748noreply@blogger.com0