#MNR: A Hard Day`s Night

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MNR: A Hard Day’s Night

Fly Ty, I’m a cosmonaut on OxyCot
Around the time Nextel was chummy with the cops
First time I saw a quarter brick my heart stopped
The homie laughed cuz that was all going to one stop
Dream big my nigga, no time for small potatoes
Watch these bitches and these niggas, boy they’ll try to play you
Never show ‘em what you holding, never pillow talk
When you on they gon notice by the way you walk
If you talk to police go get your own noose
It’s just a matter of time before they cook your goose
Stay off them phones, tell ‘em what they need to know in codes
Before y’all meet RICO and you in sicko mode
If you listen you’ll learn, some jewels are priceless
If you’re itching to earn, limit your vices
A waste of time if you’re discussing who’s the nicest
I’m Mo Rivera with a touch of young Tyson

It’s been years since I attempted to do that. I won’t mention my inspiration. But I didn’t do it to elicit a reaction or response. I was wavy and I wanted to talk. Anyway...

How y’all? Blessed, I pray. I really do pray for all y’all. Well...if y’all good I’m good. So let us proceed...

It was so damn cold today I wanted a cup of hot ass cocoa. With the marshmallows. If it weren’t 32 below zero out I’d scurry to the local supermarket to scoop a box. But it’s entirely too damn cold. I’m not going no damn where.

I heard some mega church just bought their pastor a $1.7M mansion. What in the Creflo Dollar is this shit? I’m going to say this one time so read me clearly. The only way I could ever conceive ANY man or woman of God owning a house of that dollar amount (excluding it being purchased independently and privately) unless they housed the less fortunate in spare rooms and allowed them all the same amenities and luxuries the family personally enjoys. Fuck outta here. My mommy’s baby brother is my pastor. I love him like he’s my own father. I got half of my personality from him. But if anything like this happened at my house of worship I’d immediately be a free agent or one of those college athletes in the transfer portal. Nigga, I’m out. And I’m keeping my offering money. This is the principle reason why many have absolutely no type of trust for the Christian church. How can our urban communities be in peril while some shepherds of houses of worship in these very same communities are living in mansions, driving top shelf foreign cars, riding in private jets, and even starring in reality television? There is no justification that I can deem respectable. Mother Theresa died with three dresses to her name. She spent decades helping and ministering to the downtrodden. Yes. The shepherd is the leader. He’s an anointed man of God. But he is still one man. Personally, I couldn’t drive a BMW as the head of a congregation where a parishioner is barely surviving. My soul would bleed out and die. I’m sorry. I can’t fade that. FOH.

Did I mention how damn cold it is today?

As a journalist, it is particularly disheartening to see how this current presidency has successfully taken what we’ve always known objective truth to be and created a reality in which mistruth and flat-out lies are accepted and embraced. I can speak for every true journalist in saying that we stand by the 5 W’s and H: who, what, when, where, why, and how. That’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter what my party affiliation or political ideology is. The facts are the facts. Anytime opinion is interjected, it is an editorial piece. Simple and plain. This blog is opinion based, as most blogs are. These are my personal beliefs and ideas (some absolutely off-kilter, some outright absurd) with occasional Crew ideology infused. But the facts are the facts. If I’m submitting copy for a pure news article, there is no opinion anywhere in the text. There is no grey area.

“Up late night on their mother’s cordless, thinking a perm or bleach and cream will make them better when they’re gorgeous...”
Nas, “What Goes Around”

I don’t have the power or authority to ever knock a woman for any and everything she does cosmetically to improve herself, presumably for her own well being. And I’m not referring to makeup. I’m referring to cosmetic surgery. It’s crazy how the scope of cosmetic surgery has changed the last twenty years or so. Growing up, cosmetic surgery was something I viewed as being reserved for aging white women with money. It was all about facelifts and nose jobs. And of course the breastesses. That was then. Now, when I think cosmetic surgery I think young women of color, and tummy tucks and booty jobs. From what I hear, the rates are a lot more affordable these days. And I’m not saying it’s fact, but I heard that if you travel to certain Latin countries the rate is even better. Ladies, do what makes you happy. I can’t knock your hustle. I have not one right. I just want you all to know that you’re beautiful just how the Lord made you. And if you don’t feel that way the gym works wonders these days. A great trainer, dedication, and work ethic can do it for you the old fashioned way. I’m always reminded of K. Michelle or Mama Donda West mishaps/tragedies. And they didn’t get back alley procedures done. It’s your thing. Do what you wanna do. Nas and me are just reminding you that you’re already gorgeous. It’s love.

The great Michael Eric Dyson plugged my newest project, In Search of Serendipity, on the twitter a couple days ago. He did the same with 100 Blocks Stories. He’s a heaven of a man. I appreciate him greatly. I’ve never been the type to shamelessly plug my material. At the end of the day, the consumer decides how the consumer pleases. I can’t push a sale on anyone. That’s not something I’m comfortable doing. But I am very confident in the quality of my work. And as I stated, one of this country’s preeminent voices in African American culture agrees. He said it himself. I’m comfortable with the work itself and the co-signs being my collective voice. I say co-sign plural because others have voiced their approval and love for the project. Much love to my fellow Panthers who have supported me, as well as the community and my loved ones. In Search of Serendipity: The Rebirth of Love’s Possibility is available for purchase. Get your copy today. I’ll sign it for you. ###

PS: Thank you Dr. King.