Being PRO-BLACK Does NOT Make Me ANTI-WHITE!!!

     I am sure I bear several names; some I'll gladly accept, and others I simply view as nicknames that ooze from the faucet-like mouths of my naysayers. I'll start with one name that fits me "Pro Black" It is a term whose definition is ultimately ambiguous; so rather than make a fool out of myself trying to do so, I will instead give you my own personal account of how it influences my way of life. To me, being Pro-Black is a state of mind. I look to support my race. I look to encourage my race. I look forward to improving the future of my race in such that I start by first improving myself as a member of such a unique group. I failed to learn much of anything about my race while attending grade school, and as adult, I have realized that information such as that must be sought out; it is not given material. Am I wrong for wanting to become more knowledgeable about my roots? Am I wrong for preferring to support Black owned businesses? Am I wrong for taking pride in the one thing that I feel mainstream America holds against me? I will let the readers ponder. I will not answer those questions; not because I am scared of improperly responding, not because I fear backlash, but because most could not fully digest my non-political answer. With all the words I have uttered, I have yet to utter what I deem most important about this blog. It is the fact that I am not racist. As scrutinized and as ostracized as I may feel at times in regards to the color of my skin, I dare not extend the same courtesy to others. I do not hate White people. I understand that the ways of some White people is not indicative of all. In the same breath I can honestly say that I know even people of my own race are not always rooting for me, or have my best interests at heart. All I really care about is the prospering of American culture as a whole. But let us face the facts, Blacks are trailing behind in several categories that I feel are essential to furthering the progress of generations to come. I just want to help where I can. Whether it is educating myself, or others, no matter their color. I simply do not want my race to be left behind. It is a dog-eat-dog world out there, and some of us are about as helpless as a new born kittens; tender, blind, and defenseless.

Tis the Season...to Spend Your F^%&in' Money

Anyone familiar with the phrase "laugh now, cry later"? Well, that phrase is going to become the reality for many American families this year. Want to know why?? Christmas shopping! I too was once fooled into investing in the "Christmas Spirit". And of course, it caused me to be rather frivolous with my cash. It wasn't until I snapped out of the capitalistic trance and realized that I didn't need to go broke to prove to my loved ones that I loved them. And that goes for any holiday, not just Christmas. Now, if one has the money, and they want to purchase gifts within their budget, that's fine I supposed. What is not fine is borrowing money now for a gift (that the recipient may not even use) they have to pay for later, and at a interest rate of roughly 15% or more...People often make purchases with credit cards and fool themselves into thinking, "I'll pay it off soon." Well, the numbers say, THEY'RE LIARS. They're going to wind up paying the minimum amount each month, causing the price of their Christmas to double in less than six months. It sounds bizarre when said aloud, but this has become an epidemic. I've watched my family scramble around Christmas time to get their children the stuff they longed for. Only for the stuff to sit in a corner, become inoperable, or just plain unappreciated. And to think some people deprive themselves of sleep, drive in extreme traffic conditions, and some even threaten or harm other shoppers so that they can receive the ultimate deal on Black Friday. Is this not absurd!? I bet every person reading this is either one of those people, or they are closely related to one. I have seen what the "Christmas Spirit" has done to my family, and families all across the states. Don't ignore the numbers...I know people like to think that "their" situation is different than the next guy's, but in all actuality, its not. We have more in common than in difference...and if you're in the ninety percentile of people who do not have majority of the wealth in America, I'm talking to you. With that said, try to have a happy December, without having a horrid January, February, March and so...

Don't Wait...TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM NOW!

On Thursday November 10, 2011 a good friend was extracted from the physical world. I say the term "friend," but in all actuality, he was family. He was my godfather. He was a man who acted as a father, as a friend, as an advisor and as a person who genuinely had my best interest at heart. I am fully aware that some individuals NEVER have the experience of  having someone like that in their lives. I am fortunate to have known him. No matter what I was doing, he was on my side. Never passing judgement and never pushing me away when I needed his help. He will be missed by all who knew him. Don't spend life thinking that loved ones know you love them. Tell them...and not later, NOW. We never know when our number will be called.

R.I.P Andrew Spruill

Be Careful About That Book Cover!!!

As the saying goes, "don't judge a book, by it's cover." It is natural that when a person is unfamiliar with another person, they tend to make assumptions off of the first impression. But beware; first impressions may be accurate, however, when they are inaccurate, they may very well cost the assumer way more (financially, emotionally, socially, etc.) than they bargained for. I'll take myself for example; I'm a young Black male with tattoos on my arms and gold teeth in my mouth. I don't always wear my pants where they should be, and I can't fail to mention the fact that I don't always speak in complete English. According to stereotypes; I should be out committing crimes...I should be out disrespecting women...I should be uneducated, uniformed and thus, unimportant. Yet, I currently have a associate's degree in social work, and ultimately I'm working towards my master's degree. I'm also operating my own photography business, where I have to execute every role from secretary to CEO. I like museums, am an avid reader, an author, and I dabble in music production from time to time. And honestly, I could do more. I know I have not yet reached my full potential. But no matter how many roles I play, they never really surface when someone meets me initially. I always get the "you look like a rapper" line. My rebuttal is always, "well, what does a rapper look like?" It's always hilarious how many glares and stares I receive when I walk into a Barnes and Noble, or when I show up to an art gallery with my hooded sweatshirt and a pair of nubuck Timberlands. I get the looks as if people have me allllll figured out. And they would be wrong; I haven't even completely figured out myself, so how the hell could they know. Because of my past, and what I feel is morally right, I refuse to do to others what has been done to me. I refuse to think a certain way about a person because of their attire. I refuse to belittle someone because they own less material things than I. And lastly, I refuse to make assumptions about a person based on zero evidence. I can only hope my readers refuse as well...

Stop Doing Less and Wanting More

The bank account is empty, so blame the kids (who didn't ask to be here). Job is not paying enough, so blame the job (who only sees their employees as mules, who are replaceable nonetheless). Doesn't it feel better? I mean blaming others for one's own personal shortcomings feels pretty damn good. At least at first. It's like biting a hot pepper thinking it's not really that hot....only to find out the heat are in the seeds. A bite into one of those seeds, will send a person running to the nearest oasis. Until people realize that blaming anyone, even themselves, is not the answer to their problems, they can move on to hopefully becoming more successful indivuduals. Stop doing less and wanting more. If I came to someone's home, took some pictures for 10 minutes, and gave them an invoice for a million dollars, they would think I was crazy. I'd say, "No it's not crazy, because a million dollars is how much I desire." As bizarre as that sounds, it is still (in my opinion) not as crazy as doing the exact same thing day in and day out, and realistically expecting a different outcome. At least I could argue that I feel that my time is worth that much. What argument can one that habitually does something, yet expects more favorable results, make? I believe most people have been  guilty of this crime, at least one time in their lives or another. I accept my shortcomings and I work on them quite often. But I don't fool myself. For instance, I know I don't own a home because I didn't earn one. It's not because I'm Black. It's not because of my upbringing. It's not because of the recession. I do not own a home because I have not prepared myself the way one should when approaching home ownership. It's that simple. For me to continue on the way I used to, and to want a million dollar house would be retarded. I see people all the time and they are wishing for this, and asking God for that. I'm not big on religion, but I'm sure whatever religion most people follow, there is some teaching that asserts their creator made them capable of obtaining things. I see women all the time wanting a guy who is gorgeous, rich, good with children, romantic, and thoughtful. Not saying there is anything wrong with their ideals. However, if the person is ugly, poor, bad with children, selfish, and dramatic, then there is. They are simply doing the bare minimum, or less, and wanting beyond the maximum. Stop it. Guys do the same thing. They want woman who is beautiful, a good cook, a sex machine, faithful, and who is willing to be quiet during sports games. If the men themselves don't cook, aren't faithful, and have the idea that sex ends after they ejaculate, then they are in denial. They are not going to get their ideal woman, unless  they become financially stable enough to afford a woman who's willing to pretend like they don't hate their guts. And the reason is...you guessed it...they are simply doing less and wanting more....

Teach Your Kids About Credit!!!

I will start this blog off by stating that I do not have any children. So some may want to discredit everything I say hereafter. However, those who would act in such feverish haste, without giving this blog at least an inkling of a chance, are probably the ones who need to read it most thoroughly. But that is just MY opinion. If only one person lets my text delve into their thoughts and sit for a few moments, I will be whole heartedly satisfied. Now to the subject at hand, CREDIT. Credit all starts when a person is just old enough to understand their parents and/or authority figures' wishes. This phase starts way before the concept of money is even fathomable. If a parent buys a 4 year old a pack of candy, it is like credit. Of course the parent does not want the child to consume the whole thing at once. It is ideal that the child should spread out the candy, only enjoying pieces after he or she has been obedient and deserving of such a treat. When someone lets their child eat the WHOLE pack, they are already sending the wrong message, and inadvertently setting the kid up for failure. I know some may be taken aback by that comment, but it is the truth. Where do bad habits start? FROM CHILDHOOD! Some kids are natural-saver kind of people, while others prefer to spend EVERY DAMN PENNY. Whatever parents birth a "natural saver" child, they are lucky. The child already understands that their money is of value, and should be held tight! I was the opposite...I was the spend EVERY DAMN PENNY of mine + yours kid. And with that said, you can bet that my credit score is far from perfect. No one ever taught me to save my money, and as a result, I learned to spend frivolously for the majority part of my life. But I am not alone; MOST people's credit scores are not great...And if somebody wonders why that statement holds true, I would blurt out "Because their asses started off eating the WHOLE PACK of candy...just like I did!" My parents never really witnessed the art of saving. None of my grandparents earned much money, thus there was nothing to save. So I do not directly blame my parents for my negligence, but I honestly believe had I been taught to be a little more frugal, I would be in a better situation than I am now from a CREDIT standpoint. But remember, no lessons are FULLPROOF. One MUST teach their kids to save, even if  THEY do not. Teach them to dodge the potholes of debt that plague so many of us. If they morph into adults who choose to ignore the potholes, then fine, that's beyond the parent's control. At that point, there is only three things a parent can do: assist them changing their flat tire, call AAA, or continue to buy them new tires until who knows when...maybe til death! So before anybody lets their kid eat the WHOLE pack of candy in one sitting...remember this blog.

Why Not Now?

It never ceases to amaze me how many people honestly believe it is too late for them to get married, finish high school, go to college, mend a relationship and the list goes on. When I talk to these individuals, the most difficult question for them to answer is "why"? More often than not, I learn that it is never the task itself that is impossible. However, when you fail to believe in yourself, something as simple as smiling may become difficult. We all have, or have had moments of doubt, stress and fear that disable us from becoming the greatest person we can be. Coming from a society of instant-gratification-seekers, I know all too well about abandoning my pursuits when the outcome was not favorable, or swift enough. I once believed that the odds were stacked against me. And if you believe that the odds are stacked against you, it is likely they are growing as you read this text. See, odds do not sleep, they do not eat, but they most certainly grow. And do you know how? You. You make them grow with seeds of skepticism and flowing waters of worries. So how does one defy the odds? The correct answer is, you do not. You simply do not allow them to exist. By changing the outlook on your life, you can cut through titanium odds like a hot knife through butter. To those who have sound philosophies, I say, maybe your philosophies do not need transformation, but application. And for those of you who are lacking solid philosophies and principles in your life, I strongly suggest you start today. I know many will read this and shrug off my statements. I totally understand that, because it is exactly what I used to do when somebody told me what I needed to hear, instead of what I wanted. So why listen to me? I am not rich. I do not have a Ph.D. And more importantly, I am not part of some ridiculous reality TV Show. You should take heed to what I have written so maybe, just maybe, my mistakes, will not become yours. But most of all, I genuinely care. Why else would I write this? I do not need to spell out every detail of my life, but if you converse with anyone who knew me before, they would tell you how I have literally turned my life around. And trust me, there was no magic wand, no traumatic accident, or no term of imprisonment. It was sheer will. The will to change. As I write this, I can only hope that I inspire someone else to do the same...