Barbancourt & Bullet Points

I have a docket full of assignments to complete as I’m typing this. Thanks to a number of distractions, I’m here right now, with specific words that have absolutely nothing to do with my GPA. Due to the numerous folks with uninformed opinions & severe lack of context as they’re speaking on the various hot topics of the day, I felt the need to address some of the commentary I’m seeing on almost a daily basis. Now, let it be known that I don't think my opinion takes precedence over anyone else's, nor do I feel that I’m right about everything I say. However, I will say that I’m smart enough to know when a particular topic or subject is not my cup of tea, so shutting the fuck up when it’s being discussed is no problem at all. That being said, if I speak on it, I do my absolute best to ensure that nuance and context are part of the narrative. I speak with passion & conviction because that’s the type of person I am. Also, I know what I speak of when I open my mouth, and I will not appease those who are uncomfortable or intimidated with my intelligence.

• I find it amusing how people can be willfully obtuse when it comes to seeing the suffering of others. Of course, our lived experience will be center to how we see the world, but we gotta balance it out without invalidating the lived experience of others. What we been through makes us who we are in this present moment, and the fact you may be uncomfortable with another person’s existence doesn’t change that. Your approval of how they choose to live your life comes in last place to their agency. If you don’t think someone’s human rights shouldn’t be acknowledged because of their race, culture, religion, gender, sex, class, orientation, you my friend are an oppressor. Fuck you and anyone else who thinks they can “disagree” with a lifestyle. Once you say that, you are willingly complicit in the subjugation of people who are marginalized or being pushed towards those margins. Remember that before you say that you “disagree” with their choices. Defend your position with “it’s my opinion” if you want. Also remember we have the free will to tell you AND your opinion to hit the dirt trail.
• As a history major studying to be a teacher, I can’t front like I don’t get annoyed by the dismissal of history as “boring” and “useless”. Then the same folks who say that try to lambaste people for NOT KNOWING THEIR HISTORY. Back in the day, civics & history were requirements. Those classes are the basic foundation of being a competent, aware citizen. Yeah, it may be torture to sit through it, especially if the instructor is as animated as Yurtle The Turtle and Eeyore, but if you want to have an informed opinion about what’s going on the world, you’ll suck it up, take notes, and pay attention. They’re legislating the rewriting of the history books our children read or will read, and they are getting away with it because they know most of us don’t engage seriously with history  in the first place. Edmund Burke said, “Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.”. This is important for those who want to leave a positive mark on society as well as those who seek to deshackle themselves from oppression. And As Chinua Achebe said, “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”. We got a few in the pack, but for the whole kingdom I say, “Every being who sees it today must record it for the children of tomorrow”. Ask yourself how the next generation will look at our era when they do their homework.
• Be consistent! At least put in the effort! What’s exhausting to see is people picking and choosing when they want to be advocates for freedom and liberation. Y'all really consistent at that! Shifting goalposts are a telltale sign of obtaining and/or keeping power, depending on who’s doing it. Challenge yourself & ask “Why am I doing this? What is my true intent? Am I harming anybody when I say this? Who will be seriously affected by my words?
• Life over art, all day, everyday. Even though art reflects life, artists who say problematic things without any regard for who it effects or inflict pain and suffering on others shouldn’t be exempt from being accountable for their harm. Whether it’s Dr. Dre, R. Kelly, Bill Cosby, Nate Parker, Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Charlie Sheen, Rob Lowe, David Ruffin, Tupac, or Biff The Painter, making great art doesn’t give you immunity from consequences. Yeah, white folk getting the benefit of the doubt, cause they got the complexion for the protection. Black folk, you shouldn’t be defending problematic artists from our community cause the white ones aren’t getting in trouble for the same offense. That just means you’re willing to be MORE ignorant to the suffering of the victims than you probably already are, only to argue for equal access for skinfolk to be abusive. Basura. Straight trash.
• A brilliant mind reminded me recently that 14% of the population in the United States is literate. Keep that in mind when discussing information, the access to it, who has control over it & their intentions. If it isn’t accessible to everybody, it’s neither radical OR revolutionary.
• Intellectualism & intelligence isn’t exclusive to academia. Malcolm X is self-educated, and he’s been my biggest inspiration in seeking out as much knowledge as I can. I spent most of my 20’s in & out of school, but through it all, I never stopped attempting to push the boundaries of my thinking. The world is my school. I learn new lessons everyday, as well as rehash old ones. If you want to constrict learning to the inside of a classroom setting and the acquiring of certificates/degrees, that's on you. However, what you won’t do is project it onto myself or others against my will. Respect my train of thought I’ll respect yours, no matter what roads we took to get to this current point.
• Stop taking shortcuts to enlightenment! People who misquote historical figures often are usually the ones who think their opinions delegitimizes facts that have sources & very tangible evidence. Your opinion doesn’t negate the truth. Plus, it shows you just tryna intellectually masturbate & all that woke shit you talkin’ is poor social posturing at best. One thing about evolving is it shows through the words you speak. People know when it’s hollow. Energy is a powerful thing, fam.
• The election is FINALLY here, and it can’t come any sooner. I was worn out from this shit show since summer 2015. All in all, fuck Donald Chump & Killary Clinton for all the obvious reasons. It doesn’t matter who wins between the two, cause we fucked either way. My gut tells me it’s going to be Killary. I don’t think super-delegates that make up the electoral college wouldn’t in their right mind allow their white supremacy to be that blatant & obvious in the annals of power. It defeats the whole purpose of neoliberalism & all the other neos that got their foot on our necks. Their system works better when their fascism is veiled. We got the slow, but sure awakening of the masses to thank for creating a light bright enough to shine on the blatant xenophobia of those who wield power in this country. Killary seems to be their ideal choice, despite their unwavering commitment to being sexist, due to the fact she meets all their warmongering, imperialist qualifications. A win for her means they can go about their routine smoothly, showing the world that regardless of the figurehead in the Oval Office, it's business as usual for the Corporation of the United States of America. A Chump win means the racists get entitled & more dangerous, while a loss means the racists get pissed & MORE DANGEROUS. THIS ISN'T HYPERBOLE.  All I'm a say to that is run up if you wish to get done up, cause niggas ain't goin' down like that. If blood finna be shed, it ain't gonna be ours, I bet that. In all seriousness, self-defense is the best defense. Strap up, learn MMA/boxing/martial arts, and be ready to defend yourself regardless of the outcome, Black people. It's gonna get lil' bit rougher for a spell, but we got this. Let us link up, organize, resist & rise, cause they can't kill all of us. And they won't.

Now, let me get back to these assignments like the academic goonie I be.

Until next time, Peace & Dax Hair Grease!