The Undercard: Chruch Folks vs. Christians

So all the the businessmen and the leaders of the area went to Reverend Sam's house and demanded, "Look, you're getting up there in age and all of your sons are off da chain.  Ain't no way they can guide us to do anything.  So we need you to give us a king like the rest of the countries got."

Sam was blown that they even had the heart to ask for a king.  Later on, he prayed to God about the situation.  The Lord said to Sam, "Listen to everything they told you, 'cause they don't have no beef with you, they're just not cool with Me being their leader.  They've been like this since I got 'em out of slavery." - 1 Samuel 8:4-8, Jones Version

Job Qualifications

Years before I decided to take my talents to Blogspot and create a ministry, I composed and performed a few songs expressing my indirect but powerful alliance with Satan.  One record in called Devil Dance, was a fictional (based on true events) depiction of me assuming there was long term value in this demonic relationship through substance abuse and the manipulation of women.  Like most of today's secular music, that work screamed devil worship without actually saying the words I worship the devil.  But at the time I did...and I was so proud of the gross unity, I recorded it for others to hear.  Even though I was torturing my spirit and killing my body and soul, I was unknowingly qualifying myself for a great work as a literal artist for the Lord.

It Ain't That Serious

...and the record books crack open once again as the City of Richmond continues to push towards experiencing a '96 throwback.  So while we crowded VCUs campus, draped with our hooded sweatshirts, our bags of Skittles, and cool, crisp iced tea; it appears that the hoodlums 'round here called a conference and decided to have a wonderful April.  I think the slogan for their meeting was While the Feelings Are Away, Let the Thugs Play.  And play they did...to the tune of 31 shootings and 5 murders.  This doesn't include a week with 5 killings in Chesterfield and a police officer shooting a man who was "threatening" in Henrico County.  Nope, none of that made our news feeds because we Cap City folk are used to it. And to be truthful, for most of us it ain't that serious.

The Rapper Sort Of Got One Right

Where I'm from, the people are the....flaky-est. 

This is the area where it's not official unless it's seen on television.  And if the product, politician, athlete, or entertainer is from here; then it/he/she must be seen on television in another state to label it/he/she official.  For the most part, trends aren't made in the African-American communities in Richmond; instead they are copied from other larger, more glamorously-perceived African-American communities across the nation.  Particularly in the Richmond hip-hop scene; where from 1980-1993 East Coast culture was Richmond.  Then Master P dropped a couple years later and we were all bouncing and talking with a little more country twang.  No one will say this...but we generally are followers; so it's no surprise that the Drake ft. Lil Wayne and Tyga track Y.O.L.O. (You Only Live Once) has spawned yet another hip-hop slogan for our teenagers, young adults, and even some 30-somethings to live by.  But you know what, this time it might benefit you to actually listen.

Hand Selected

It sounds very inspiring, and it makes for a great t-shirt slogan, but failure definitely is an option.  As a matter of fact, it's in the top two options that a person has when they set out to accomplish anything.  This notion explains the disproportionate numbers regarding the school drop-out rate, joblessness, and the ever increasing American prison population.  Even your most successful [enter dream occupation here] will proudly speak of the number of rejections he or she has encountered before experiencing the desired success.  So I hate to be the bearer of real news but unfortunately, all of us will fail at something.  Also, the percentage of us who will fail at something we believe that we cannot, must not fail at is rather high.  How can this be remedied?  And if it can't, how can a come back happen?