Wednesday, July 25, 2007
SUITED
I wake up ready to fight the world. The daily grind of the commute of the big city. The smell of Starbucks on the subway. The stench of some homeless guy who swore at me the other day. I'm suited. Navy blue pinstripes of course, perfect for corporate America. Beside me, a brotha. Pants down half way round his ankles in a wifebeater. Looking at me. Snickerin under his breath as to say "Look at this sellout in his Carlton Banks gear." What's wrong with us? Is it unacceptable to look gentleman-like, sophisticated, dare I say, suave these days? Do I have to be an "Uncle Tom" because my vocabulary is correct and I don't speak in ebonics? This muthafukkin (there I spelled it wrong, are you happy now brotha) suit cost me $400 and I wear it proudly. No no, The price tag doesn't mean i'm better than you. It doesn't mean that I value you less as a human being it just means that I know what it takes to get a paycheck every two weeks in MY world. I'm suited, proud and lookin damn good (now if they can just fix the AC on the trains)........
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
I Saw A Man
Lunch hour. Sixty minutes to regain some sense of my sanity from the first three and a half hours of my day. I saw a man today. In Chinatown. Tattered clothes, dirty worn skin from what only can be assumed a life of incredible hardship on the mean streets of D.C. I saw a man. He was jovial. Riding his mid 1980's hand-me-down Walter Reed giveaway wheelchair.
He greeted me. "Hello Sir", he spoke. 94 Degrees, a billion percent humidity outside and this guy is smiling like the sweat isn't running from his sullied face like the Anacostia River runs through the Nation's Capital. I am taken aback by his warm nature.
His inquiring nature befuddles me as he asks me where I obtained the scooter I happen to be riding. I explain that whole time-consuming story and ignorantly say " and you can look online too." ONLINE? HIM? LOOK ONLINE? He laughs. It was then I found out just how ignorant I really am. Like he will plug and upload to the ISP in a wheel.
I graciously extend my apologies but he says none are needed. The only request was that I look online for him (I can do that). He sleeps on a park bench near the Navy Memorial. I carry that scooter information that I downloaded from the internet in my suit pocket every day in Hopes of finding that man on that bench by the Navy Memorial. I have not found him yet. But one thing is for sure. That day, I saw a man. The true measure of a man that understands no matter the circumstances you are given, or the cards you are dealt, Live on. Make the best of it. Yes, indeed, I saw a man.
He greeted me. "Hello Sir", he spoke. 94 Degrees, a billion percent humidity outside and this guy is smiling like the sweat isn't running from his sullied face like the Anacostia River runs through the Nation's Capital. I am taken aback by his warm nature.
His inquiring nature befuddles me as he asks me where I obtained the scooter I happen to be riding. I explain that whole time-consuming story and ignorantly say " and you can look online too." ONLINE? HIM? LOOK ONLINE? He laughs. It was then I found out just how ignorant I really am. Like he will plug and upload to the ISP in a wheel.
I graciously extend my apologies but he says none are needed. The only request was that I look online for him (I can do that). He sleeps on a park bench near the Navy Memorial. I carry that scooter information that I downloaded from the internet in my suit pocket every day in Hopes of finding that man on that bench by the Navy Memorial. I have not found him yet. But one thing is for sure. That day, I saw a man. The true measure of a man that understands no matter the circumstances you are given, or the cards you are dealt, Live on. Make the best of it. Yes, indeed, I saw a man.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
To those
To those who wish to see me fail. I rise. To those who wish to quash my dreams. I will achieve. To those who have held on just because they knew what they lost to begin with. I have rid myself of you. I have come up from the small populated midwestern college town that educated me and have surpassed (sometimes even my own) expectations.
Though I am not where I wish to be, I rise. I have risen from the chaos and the ashes of my inner thoughts and insecurities to know that I am whatever you say I am.
The beauty of the First Amendment is that anyone can say anything at anytime. Good for you! We all know the truth. I have surpassed you. That is not to say that I am better than you. I am humbled by what has been bestowed upon me. To those who didn't (or don't) think that it is possible. I am proof. It is.
Though I am not where I wish to be, I rise. I have risen from the chaos and the ashes of my inner thoughts and insecurities to know that I am whatever you say I am.
The beauty of the First Amendment is that anyone can say anything at anytime. Good for you! We all know the truth. I have surpassed you. That is not to say that I am better than you. I am humbled by what has been bestowed upon me. To those who didn't (or don't) think that it is possible. I am proof. It is.
Depraved Dimensions of the Mind
DEPRAVED DIMENSIONS OF THE MIND....
The world closes in around me. People conspire to hold me down bound by the chains of intellectual depravity. Smiles abound, never a shortage of those pearly whites when I arrive always interested in taking, inquiring about what they can get. "What's in it for me"? They care not for one's feelings.. lies, rumors, deceit, jealousy. The games people play when they have no clue confuses the educational processes that we all should be well adjusted to at this late stage of the game. Sunshine and little umbrella drinks await me on the other side of the storm. Tirelessly, people rant and rave, with little or no knowledge of anything in the heads the almighty gave them when he lay his merciful hand upon us all. Their useless craniums make good space fillers. The real me, has not entered into anyone's equation. They know nothing of the real me, nor do they wish to acquire the knowledge that will quench the staggering thirst for common sense that so obviously escapes them. To be a part of the feeding frenzy of those who wish to taint me, they know so very little. I will write about you someday.
The world closes in around me. People conspire to hold me down bound by the chains of intellectual depravity. Smiles abound, never a shortage of those pearly whites when I arrive always interested in taking, inquiring about what they can get. "What's in it for me"? They care not for one's feelings.. lies, rumors, deceit, jealousy. The games people play when they have no clue confuses the educational processes that we all should be well adjusted to at this late stage of the game. Sunshine and little umbrella drinks await me on the other side of the storm. Tirelessly, people rant and rave, with little or no knowledge of anything in the heads the almighty gave them when he lay his merciful hand upon us all. Their useless craniums make good space fillers. The real me, has not entered into anyone's equation. They know nothing of the real me, nor do they wish to acquire the knowledge that will quench the staggering thirst for common sense that so obviously escapes them. To be a part of the feeding frenzy of those who wish to taint me, they know so very little. I will write about you someday.
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