How to CLOSE out a Year

What’s really good people?

Am certain many of you out there are already looking forward to the opening of your Xmas presents. Hope nobody is DISAPPOINTED. My camp has several things popping off this week as well; my “Kool Keedz” have officially touched down here in the DMV (SO EXCITED). Two of my older brothers have B-days back to back during the holiday and yes; it almost time to start counting down the dropping of the ball in Times Square for another New Year’s celebration.

Ok people; let me get focused…

So I was sitting around the crib thinking about how am going to close out the year and all the things I have left to accomplish before January 1, 2012 arrives and what I am so much looking forward to in the New Year. Then reality sat in quick, what exactly did I accomplish this past year anyways? Without going into my personal business and appearing in need of a Dr. Phil moment, I will just say I think I did MORE than I DID NOT in the past 12 months.

Question is did you?

So here it is my last chance and opportunity to close out the year with a bang, a sense of purpose, fulfillment and momentum as I begin my road towards EXECUTION and DOMINANCE in 2012. So this is what I came up with that I believe will get me there and can possibly help you too if you still have UNFINISHED business to attend to as we countdown to 2012.

50 Mile Run…I figure with a week or so left until January 2012, I plan to run over 50 miles. This way I can easily reach my target weight of 1>> lbs that I had set for myself since 2004 and start to moisturize my sexy better.  

Less Profanity…I know for like the last ten years I have said I am going to do away with cursing for good. It is just those moments that I experience total rubbish and just want to choke the mess outta somebody that brings it out of me. One week of NO swearing is a great start.

Save Some Money…Your boy is officially a grown a** man with bills.  So the best way to begin saving is recognizing that I don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a lame New Year’s Eve party.

Call Home…If you have ever lived far apart from your parents/family there is nothing that makes you feel SMALLER than being reminded you need to call home more often. Nobody I know enjoys those you don’t care about us anymore conversations when parents get upset.  

Say I Love You…Be like Nike and Just Do it. I hear it goes a long way.   

Gamble Less…Have an addiction problem? Call 1-800… I just don’t see myself giving up Fantasy Football.

Work When at Work…Now you know like only 3% of people that leave out of their homes everyday that report for work actually complete some office related task. Just look around you these coming days at your office after the holidays and just observe your colleagues and co-workers.

It is never too late...

Silence - The Enemy of Progress

What’s really good people?

Yup, it is finally hear… My Kool Keedz (SoSo & Ash) from the beautiful city of Montreal are all set to take over the DMV this holiday season. In the words of Bart Scott “CAN’T WAIT”.

This week officially marks the ONE YEAR Anniversary of the MY OMO NAIJA (www.myomonaija.blogspot.com) APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE. It is so fitting that this will also serve as blog number 55 aka…“Double Nickel” a classic like back in the day when “MJ” went back to the Mecca of basketball Madison Square Garden and roasted the New York Knicks on his come back campaign after playing baseball.

But before I get into this week’s post, I have to share something really funny with you all. A colleague of mine, a really cool older gentleman this week says to me prior to the start of one meeting, “Happy Kwanzaa”. “Say what again? Happy Kwanzaa”… Now many of you all that know me know how I typically respond to people when such occasions arise. I was dying with laughter at first so I proceeded to follow with “oh; I get it… Because am Afrikan that means I celebrate and participate in this Kwanzaa thing huh?” He proceeded to look at me like this young boy tripping and in a classic old skool way says “boy I ain’t fooling with ya crazy a**”.  LMAO!

Are you all ready for another wonderful run of DOPE and RE-FRESHING blogs? Well here it is people. Let’s Go!

Ok people; let me get focused…

I want to first of all acknowledge TIME Magazine for its bravery in thinking outside the box and decree in selecting the PROTESTER as its 2011 Person of the Year. How appropriate RIGHT? This year will forever go down at least by many from my generation as the catalyst and kickoff to when people of NO influence or LITTLE significance finally get off their bums and peacefully (for the most part) demand for a better tomorrow from their government and rulers.  For so long we had grown complacent and accepting of the same status quo amongst us from our leaders that it became almost taboo to spark up a healthy dialogue as to the benefits of rebelling or staging an upheaval meaningful enough to warrant the attention of the ruling elite.

When people from all walks of life; no matter race, creed or religion choose and accept to remain silent, we then become our own enemies of progress. And you don’t have to necessarily be standing in front of some military tank to gain valor or honor for your contributions to a cause. We encounter ignorance and intolerance from/by people daily but to walk away, or even worse to choose to not redirect an individual in their own predisposition makes that other individual gutless and cowardly.

This was and remains the sole intent of the creation of the MY OMO NAIJA blogspot. We want to continue to push the envelope and touch on matters that are meaningful in our everyday lives but still provide you with some humor as much as possible. The idea is to never be afraid to take chances on writing and presenting on subject matters familiar/unfamiliar to the audience. We will not operate in a box or vacuum in hopes of appeasing to what makes people comfortable or safe.

It is our hope that many of you regardless of differences see the commonalities you share with the brave men/women all over the world in countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Spain, Greece, Russia, Democratic Republic of Congo and United States unlike the spineless pathetic members of the community of state college Pennsylvania who deliberately remained silent and allowed for the lives of many young children to be ruined in the hands of a sexual predator all because of their reputation and millions of dollars were at stake.

As for where am from and the challenge ahead for those in my native land of Nigeria, it is my hope that we learn from the mistakes of others and work to harness our collective talents. I was told a very long time ago that nobody likes CHANGE but if the end result propels one to greatness then it is the finished product that people remember not how you got there.

Lift Your Voice…

We All Don’t Celebrate Xmas

What’s really good people?

Am so bummed right about now as this weekend marks the end of my National Football League (NFL) fantasy football season after my teams totally quit on themselves and I finished at the bottom of the cellar in my two leagues after winning both championships last season. Am going to need to blog less next season and do more team management as we approach the next NFL season. Anyways, I will be back and be better so in the meantime “Kiss Da Ring” Beeeeeeeeeaches.

Ok people; let me get focused…

Have you ever noticed during holiday season that many adults start acting like preschoolers in anticipation and build up to Xmas Day?  It is almost as if people all of a sudden only recognize or value the spirit of giving and being thankful for God’s blessings only around this time of year on the calendar. SMH! Without a doubt the true premise of Christmas makes it a great holiday. Nothing beats time spent with family, childish nostalgia and getting presents. But there are some of us who are not Christians and have to carry on with our lives with/without Santa Claus coming to town.

For me this year’s holiday season like many others in recent memory will be special in part because it is time spent with my wife, family and the “Kool Keedz”. And every year I actually have a treat on Xmas day and the day after as we celebrate the born dates of two of my siblings (Christmas & Boxing Day). So trust and believe it is always a party in my household. But for some folks this holiday season can be a drag; many stores and businesses close, the TV programming is pretty lame with all the parades and from the moment you open your doors there is that constant reminder of the jolly times families are having in their homes.

So here are some tips/ideas on how to beat the Holiday Blues:

I.                Get Organized – Get ahead of the game and others by making December 25^th on the calendar of every year your day to clean and put things back into order. They say it’s the little things that matter most, so a little cleaning, organizing, and filing will have you one step up on others.

II.              Productivity – Attend to those things that you procrastinated on and generate some momentum by gaining a sense of accomplishment at the end of your day. This will go a long way in your new attitude as you approach the New Year as well.

III.           Movies Anyone – Since the only thing typically open on Xmas day is the movie theater, make a day of it. I know I will be doing so with the Kool Keedz. The only catch is it becomes lame when nothing interesting is playing at the cinema.

IV.            Volunteer- If you are into volunteering and giving back to those less fortunate, there are always countless opportunities to serve and do great community work on Christmas Day.

In closing, there many instances that people who aren’t Christians who live in western countries such as United States and Europe often feel as if Christmas is forced onto them. I know I feel that way at times but hey; you deal with it and make the most of it. I just wish non-Christians didn’t have to request or gain special permission to celebrate OUR holidays. So no matter how you do look at it, try to celebrate a day knowing that even silly telemarketers and bill collectors too are giving the day off from harassing and stressing you about a payment they will possibly never collect.

Shalom…

Wishing All of December Were a Holiday

What’s really good People?

It is now officially WINTER here in the DMV and I am already looking forward to SPRING (NWO!). I love EVERYTHING winter except I guess the winter part. I get to throw on my Bill Cosby sweaters, wear all my winter coats & jackets, put on my butter Timberland boots, rock all of my skully & fitteds, etc… I mean what is there not to like? Well how many of you enjoy trying to get out of bed and leaving your nicely heated homes to enter the cold on your way to WORK in the mornings? Speaking of winter, let’s get into this week’s post.

Ok people; let me get focused… 

How many of you all have already seen people using their office time cyber shopping online? Seen a co-worker take a mysterious lunch break and not return until closing time? Better yet, how many of you all don’t ever see your colleagues in the office typically the Monday after Thanksgiving until the New Year? There is always one of these people we all know too well; I just hope it is not one of you all.

Studies and research have proven that people are typically most UNPRODUCTIVE during the holiday season due to a number of factors.  With all of the holiday food, partying with co-workers, impromptu small talk about gifts, there is just too many distractions for an employee to get his/her work done.  I was telling someone the other that that the entire month of December would BEST served if it were made a holiday month on the Calendar. I think it would do more good than one can imagine SERIOUSLY.  I mean the brain is forever working so why not give it a month long sabbatical or siesta from all the GRINDING we put it through. Just looking at all the food and alcohol consumed around the holidays indicates to me that people have longed checked out from their work responsibilities and are ready for a party.

And then you have these poor souls… A small percentage of folks filled with sadness, loneliness, and even depression around the holiday season.  Rather than celebrating with loved ones, these people are always gloom with common symptoms of headaches, inability to sleep or sleeping too much, easily agitated and lack the ability to concentrate. (Wait a minute; this sounds more and more like YOURS TRULY…)

So don’t you think a month long break to re-energize and gather one’s faculties would prove MORE beneficial rather than carrying on that same old cynicism and defeatist attitude into a new year? I came across some helpful tips for staying on top of things during the Holiday Season courtesy of http:www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/how-to-stay-productive-during-the-winter-holidays.html

·        Beat the Rush: To remain productive at work it’s important to make plans and schedule while you are home to do this in time without delaying until the last moment. In this way you will not be stressed before Xmas

·        Organize your work & Get Things Done: Once you get to the office, forget about Xmas and organize your work. Schedule your task and start working.

·        Deal with Important Tasks First: Morning is the most productive part of the day for most of us, so it’s better to get the most important tasks done in this part of the day. Doing this you might get some free minutes for daydreaming about the holidays in the afternoon (but don’t be too obvious).

·        Be Consistent in Your Work: If you start falling behind, don’t give up! Take a 5 minute break and start over with new energy and fresh ideas.

·        Think about the consequences: It’s not a nice approach but this might motivate you. Like everything else, we have to find a balance between work and Xmas preparations. Managers will not accept unfinished projects no matter how badly you need to go buy gifts for your family and friends.

Always Have a Plan…

It’s That Most Wonderful Time of the Year…

What’s really good people?

Yes; by now many of you have made quite possibly 6-8 trips to the kitchen stuffing your faces into several servings of turkey, macaroni & cheese, cranberry sauce and some of that good sweet potato pie. Go ahead; loosen up that belt buckle, kick-back and try convincing yourselves of that master plan to burn all the calories you just devoured by starting another failed attempt of the P90X series. LMAO!

Ok people; let me get focused…

So today being Black Friday in America represents the first official day of the Holiday MADNESS. Heading to the gym this morning for a workout, the entire roads and parking lots were jammed packed. All am thinking is people are out in the gym getting their sexy on after experiencing some guilt with their Thanksgiving feast RIGHT? NO! The cars in the full parking lot represented all the holiday shoppers who just swore up & down Xmas was now moved up on the calendar to November and just had to finish their shopping before the department stores run out of goods for consumption. SMH! Now if you are one of these people or know any of these nonsensical humans or camp outside a store overnight just to buy some over publicized “LIMITED” or “EXCLUSIVE” holiday item then yup you guessed it; You are SUPA-STUPID!

Note: My homeboy “T” made a great point today; ever noticed that the department stores or local businesses never have the items you actually want on sale? The BIG Discounts promised are always on products that have little to no importance on the long wish-list you carry around with you leading up to Xmas.  It’s a ploy to get you in there establishment to move out all the dead items on their shelves for months prior to the holidays.

Now for many Nigerians not raised or entrenched by this North American tradition, the first week of December typically represents the time period when chaos and the mad scramble begins in preparing and making arrangements for their much awaited reunion with family and loved ones. Who remembers their first trip back to Nigeria after leaving for many years? It is always a double edge sword somehow; everybody in Nigeria is thrilled and excited awaiting your return while many of the travelers can at times dread the reception to come. This is the bottom line: when it comes to the holidays and traveling; people love to do business with Nigerians and they have no issue with how we make our money. F***kin HYPOCRITES.

Airline Carriers – I would love to see a study conducted on Nigerians that examines how much we spend annually on TRAVEL. Seriously; WE are in every International airport imaginable this time of year with our standard 6 pieces of luggage (a very conservative count), sporting an oversized winter coat for that harsh Nigerian winter to come,  loud as ever and unfortunately some of us carrying around a very bad case of body odor on that long plane ride. The irony of all this is from my vantage point is that the holiday season because of the mega business Nigerians generate for these airline carriers is the only time we are treated with some level of customer service that can be best described as barely passing.

Shopping – Well documented in my forum here on my blogspot (www.myomonaija.blogspot.com) and other outlets is our affinity as Nigerians for aggrandizement and buying without limits. The Nigerian mentality is “the BIGGER the Cost the BIGGER the Statement”. Unfortunately, this is one of the most backwards things about my people that continue to stunt our development not only as a community but as a nation. Forget thought, the pressures of a visit to Nigeria only compounds this issue more as people typically only equate your love and affection towards them by what they deem to be a gift of affluence.

The reality of it all is that by the time a perspective traveler has purchased his/her airfare, spend loads of money on gifts and treats to share with loved ones and escaped the bills and cost of living outside of Nigeria, there is very little left to spend on him/herself during the visit. What is suppose to be a vacation, some quality Rest & Recovery time becomes unbearable and all you can do is just count down the days before your departure. But guess what; NOBODY I know in Nigeria cares nor will they be interested about your efforts and the hard work you put in to ensure that you were thinking of them prior to your arrival.   

Everyday is a Holiday…

GIVING THANKS THIS THANKSGIVING

What’s Really Good People?

You know they say tough times don’t last; only tough people do… So with that in mind I know that the best is yet to come. Am stronger today than I was yesterday and with all the love & support in my corner “I 2 Shall Rise”. It is so fitting that a major holiday has now sprung upon us and what do you know, it’s commonly referred to as THANKSGIVING. You ready? Let's Go!

Ok people; let me get focused…

By far the one and only holiday I care to celebrate every year is THANKSGIVING. Yes; every calendar year on the fourth Thursday in November people all over in the United States are making plans for travel, getting their appetites ready and preparing for an entire day of American football. First; we get it in during pick-up games at a local park or neighboring school and then leave it to the professionals in the National Football League (NFL) to take over starting around 12pm. You know something is a BIG DEAL in America when everything SHUTS-DOWN the day before as government agencies, schools and local businesses start closing or perform their early dismissals.

THANKSGIVING is the closest and next best thing to the annual Eid Muslim Holiday celebrations I grew up on back home in Nigeria with my family and community. I mean as a kid, there was nothing like the anticipation of Eid. The pursuit of securing the toughest Ram that was willing to compete and battle an entire block or neighborhood full of Rams and win the title of last Ram standing always thrilled and won some type of informal honor that many of us looked forward to. Then going to the local salon to get that photo-shoot fresh haircut to go with a brand new outfit as my siblings and I would coordinate everything from shoes, jewelry and accessories always made the kid in you feel like a million bucks. And then came the food, I mean mo food & some mo food… It typically mirrors the festivities many Americans part-take in every spring during EASTER and fall at THANKSGIVING.   

Unlike many of the flippant, commercialized Hallmark holidays created and celebrated in the western world for the sake of CAPITALISM and boosting a dying economy, THANKSGIVING represents the core values and characteristics dear to me such as family, food, entertainment and sleep. And there is not one person alive that can say that they have survived a good THANKSGIVING meal without catching the infamous iDas. Gone is the competition to overspend to prove one’s worth, adults acting like children and fighting over goods at local department stores, people camping outside stores at 5am in order to get their hands on the hot new purchase of the season (iPad, iPhone, iNuffin); a sea of traffic and madness at the local malls, etc... And with THANKSGIVING there is no need to run around for months in advance looking to buy that perfect gift and overspend just to have the recipient look at you like “That’s it”?

So to my immediate family and friends and to my entire “My Omo Naija” family, supporters and viewers I want to wish you all an early HAPPY THANKSGIVING. And for those that may feel that they don’t have very much to be thankful for, I leave you with quote from Winston Churchill that always rings TRUE in my world – “If you going through hell; KEEP GOING”.

I only wish that our THAKSGIVING celebration lasted 3 days like the first one did when the Plymouth Pilgrims first introduced this great tradition to the world. Oh; let’s not forget the Native Americans…

Gobble Gobble!

Why Do People Get Flowers When They Can’t Smell Them?

What’s Really Good People???

Yo; I gotta get this off my chest real quick people…

Your man “P” was minding his bin-ness the other day like I usually do, kicking it with my big homie “Mal” when I came across a Shark aka a Bitin’ a** n***a. I had seen on my twitter feed that someone LITERALLY reposted one of my blogs word for word, verbatim without checking or asking for consent. WTF!!! “I mean where dey do dat @????” For real; I am all about bridging the gap, learning and sharing with others. But as a warning; THE NEXT CAT I SEEN VIOLATING WILL GET VIOLATED”. And I will most certainly Did it On Em’… I do this for you all. This is your blogspot; so now back to what we do best – TRUTH.

Ok people; let me get focused…  

This past week a good friend of mine experienced a horrific tragedy that led to the passing away of two young boys in an automobile accident. Then another three people I grew up watching and listening to in sports and music passed away; RIP to Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes, boxer “Smoking” Joe Frazier and rapper “The Overweight Lover” Heavy D all went on to greener pastures. To me this unfortunately is becoming a reality and a direct consequence as part of aging, as you grow older this becomes more and more common place so no big deal. RIGHT? But I then thought about a great Kanye West line when he said; “people never get the flowers while the can still smell em’. Can I get a Kay Slay aka “Drama King” DAMMMMMN! This indeed is so true.

For the longest time now; death and people passing away have always been a precarious matter for me to tackle. I think I have gotten better over the years but it is still an area that requires a lot of work on my part. But back to discussing the flowers and what they symbolize to people in their time of bereavement or mourning. It is widely accepted and believed that flowers play a functional role during funerals and serve an emotional element that represents LOSS. Some deem it comforting and warmth at this very cold period on the body’s soul. Others look at it as a means to brighten up a somber environment or a temporary diversion from all the grief and suffering.

In putting together this post; I came across in my research that different flowers have different meanings and that there is a Language of Flowers. Basically; flowers and floral arrangements are often used to send hidden messages. Some represent passion, romance, virtue, friendship, respect, purity and hope.

But please be mindful that those same flowers too have a shelf life. Some argue that flowers are not appropriate due to the nature that they too die and that could lead to the bereaved revisiting their personal death all over again. It should and may serve a bigger purpose to a loved one if/when we make the time to commemorate their contributions while still full of life. So however you choose to arrange and handle your affairs at a time of loss; always remember “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

Show Some Love…

YOUR PERCEPTION IS MY REALITY

What’s really good people???

We already into the first week of November? WOW! The weather outside is starting to get colder and colder so almost time to start bringing out my colorful Cosby sweaters. SWAGGIN! By now you all know the trending topic of the week is about a particular “Attention Whore” who filed for divorce and made a sham of what most women consider the single most important experience in their lifetime outside of giving birth. Let me leave that alone and get to something a little more important to talk about, can’t be wasting my energy on things meaningless in my world.

Ok people; Let me get focused…

“Everything you see or hear or experience in any way at all is specific to you. You create a universe by perceiving it, so everything in the universe you perceive is specific to you”… Douglas Adams

Earlier this week, I was heading into the city for work in my car when I came across something that at one point or another many people of color (BLACK MEN), have experienced or will experience in their lifetime. It was a cold, wet and nasty morning commute. So I know for a fact nobody wants to be standing outside all day if he/she can avoid it. In front of me at a traffic light was a taxi unoccupied. How do I know? The light was on and here in America; if the light of a taxi is on, that generally means the driver is looking for a customer. Therefore, it is expected that patrons will try to flag it down or rush to grab it before someone else takes it.  If the light is off, the taxi is not looking for a customer, so you can safely ignore it.

So you all know what happened next RIGHT?

You see what had happened was…… As the traffic light turned green and the taxi proceeded to move forward, an African American male dressed in a heavy black coat in his early to mid 20s right in front of us tried to flag the cab down but to no avail as the driver just sped up with the quickness. More disappointing however; was how the taxi driver within a block’s distance of snubbing the black guy had no problems weaving in and out of traffic to pick up (YOU GUESSED IT) a professionally dressed white female. All I could do at this point after witnessing all this was SMH!

I almost had the urge to speed up and get a closer look at the driver in hopes of me reassuring myself that he was not African but then I thought to myself what difference would that have made and I also did not want to experience the further disappointment in my own people.      

Here is the ugly truth; less than a week ago here in the DMV a cab driver was allegedly shot and killed in a dispute over a 75-cent difference in taxi fare after he repeatedly told his 20 year old assailant that he was transporting he didn’t have any money on him. The murdered taxi driver went as far as taking off his pants to prove that he didn’t have any money on him but was still fired at. This is another PRIME example of Black on Black crime at its worst.

So I didn’t really know who to take issue with on that morning commute. Should I be upset with the taxi driver that deliberately ignored the black male for transport maybe out of fear of his life? Or the black kid who killed the innocent cab driver over a 75-cent dispute and now has messed things up for other Black men who require the use of taxis to get around in the city?

Being a Muslim/Nigerian/African-American/Black male I have always and continue to fight against the perceptions people have against things they are uncomfortable unfamiliar or ignorant to. As I have stated from the very beginning, I only started to blog primarily in part due to all the negativity, stereotypes, images and perceptions I have lived with in my existence and seen in my community. I will not change nor do I expect you to. What I only ask is that you educate yourself and those around you before you pass judgment on to others.  

I have come to understand that life as an African-American/Nigerian male forces you to have thick skin. You are scrutinized, labeled and even dismissed by those who somehow believe they are better than you without conducting a self-inventory of themselves. Yes, the perceptions of others do become who we are if we conform to them. And for those that know me personally, you know I refuse to give into what you want me to be, look like or say. In the words of slim shady;

Cause I am

Whatever you say I am

If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am?

In the papers, the news everyday I am

I don’t know it’s just the way I am (Eminem)

So if you ain’t with me - Then Get from Me…

Everyday is Halloween in Nigeria

What’s really good people?

We are down to the last few months on the calendar already and what an odd year thus far. The weather people are even calling for possible snow in the forecast in some places including here in the DMV this weekend (NWO)! This is Halloween week so you know there is going to be some fun and buffoonery all going on around us at the same time. So whatever you do end up doing, just be safe and keep that third eye open out there at all times.

OK people; let me get focused…

Here in America; Halloween is only second to Xmas when it comes to spending. In fact billions of dollars is spent on Halloween each year to celebrate a holiday that honors ghouls, demons, ghosts and anything that goes bump in the night dangerous or even evil. I myself too have participated in the festivities on numerous occasions with my friends over the years but as I get older, it just does not do it for me anymore.

So I got to thinking this week, how did this entire Halloween phenomenon come about anyways? My quick research pointed to Halloween deriving from the Druid religion in the Celtic culture back in Ireland over 2000 years ago. Immediately, I said to myself is this impossible?

Now am not saying EVERYTHING originated or started in Africa, and I sure do not want Africa to take credit for something so futile and senseless like Halloween but FACT is FACT. Something about that just doesn’t seem right… A Halloween in Nigeria???  But the more I look into it, many African and Nigerian customs do have elements of Halloween in them.

For example, the bonfires that are associated with Halloween here in the western world originated in Africa from ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices made years ago to appease the gods. I can easily recall as a youth witnessing several festivals where slaughtered cattle were thrown into flames as a means of repentant or celebration. Africans have sacrificed animals in many instances for centuries to insure that their crops would prosper or for the rain to come. The idea was that some type of spirit would speak through the head of the village and be able to forecast the future. Now of course after the crops blossomed and the rains came, people danced and partied the night away full of joy.

As for the costumes; I can’t think of one ritual back home where people did not dress in elaborate attire. Different forms of masks, colors and original pieces mark the occasion and excitement in the crowds. Many African societies see mask as mediators between the living world and the supernatural world of the dead, ancestors and other entities. The masks become the attribute of a dressed up dancer who gives life and word at the time of the ceremonies. Back home in Nigeria where am from (IDIMU Stand Up!) we would have these festivals that heads of the participants would in disguise as spirits and demons as they told stories, read fortunes and danced up and down the streets in the villages. We called it Odun Egun (Aygoon) in my Yoruba language.   

Trick or Treat; asking and begging for money from strangers back home in Nigeria is common practice. This is a constant you deal with from when you wake up; there is somebody at your front gate. On your commute to work; little kids are in the middle of the roads and your local police officers with their random “Check-Points” are all trying to make a dollar. Unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence and the way of life in Nigeria for so many not a means to rack up bags of candy and sweets.  

Tricks are made for Kids...

COONING – The New Black Hustle

What’s really good people?

I must say I am fighting some writers block in recent weeks. But just when you think you might be running out of fresh, provocative and informative things to share and discuss with the people, just grab a seat and turn on your television set and take-in an experience like no other. Let’s Go!

Ok people; let me get focused…

   

Catch anything of interest in television programming lately?

What’s that new hip-hop song they play like 20 times a day on the radio again?

See any BUFFONERY in the last African American movie you watched at the theater or in the confines of your own home?

Did you go buy your child a pair of JEGGINS or SKINNY JEANS from the local department store so he can SAGG his a** on his first day of school?

Oh, how can I forget; have you seen any of the recent Republican Presidential debates within the past month?  

The dictionary defines the old slang term COON as “disparaging and offensive; a black person; rustic or undignified person”. As a Nigerian American I unfortunately have come to see this unattractive side of my race, community and country far too many times than I can remember in recent memory. To the point that I have actually come to terms on this point, I can tolerate a SELL-OUT but I hate a COON. And just like Chris Rock elegantly put it in one of his best comedic stand-up performances; “There’s like a civil war going on with black people and there’s two sides. There’s black people, and there’s n****s. The n****s have got to go… I love black people, but I hate n****s, boy. I hate n****s. Boy, I wish they’d let me join the klu klux klan s**t, I’d do a drive-by from here to Brooklyn”. CLASSIC!

You know for the longest time I use to think the term Sell-out and COON were interchangeable. But the more I look around and start to pay attention to things, COONING is just outright vexing.  I see a Sell-out more like a misguided and naïve soul that needs some direction. A COON on the other hand is a character, someone deliberately and willfully playing a designated role or part for some type of compensation.

The origin of the COON stereotype began in the 1600s when white Americans looked at their black slaves as “Good for Nuffin”. A COON was typically regarded as someone you could not count on or who would rather live off of the work of others. The lasting images we saw were of males who moved very slowly and talked slowly. They could never manage to speak proper English and were easily manipulated by their slave owners.  So when I see these shameful images of people of color on my television and listen to the content of the music glamorized in today’s pop culture, I cringe and question what exactly do we value and deem respectable in our communities.

The three word answer is MONEY MONEY MONEY. People of color have become so distracted and influenced by consumption of wealth that they will absolutely do anything for money. They sell their souls to the devil, loose any of their moral fiber; make their families/race look worse all in the name of EXPLOITATION.

Just a week or two ago I loved how so many raved about the hip-hop cyphers in the recent Black Entertainment Television (BET) hip hop awards. The hip-hop cyphers were such a big hit that even Nigerian hip-hop artists back home staged their own. But if you watched the award show in its entirety, you get a sense that this is an exploiting of blacks at its best. I mean from the saggin pants, hollerin’ and cussin on stage, raunchy & provocative attire put on by the females, endless gold teeth etc… (BTW; let me be the first to acknowledge that I too do Sagg my pants and its something that I work on everyday to correct).

 

Now for the sake of not naming names because I can easily do so; can we just take a closer look at who makes, writes and decides on the themes in a number of films featuring people of color as leading actors? COONING!

The highest Court in the land here in America has one African American representative in the Supreme Court and what have been his rulings since he took the bench? Just know that the same laws and civil rights acts such as “Affirmative Action” that help propel him in his career are legal statues that he is now AGAINST. COONING!   

Finally, I present to you the African American vying for the Republican nomination for the 2012 ticket presidential ticket “Mr. 9-9-9”… Believe me when I say the acts of COONERY are all around us and you can’t run away from it. It’s even now in politics and more than ever it is the key to winning a party’s nomination ticket. Take “Mr. 9-9-9” for example, the Tea party pays him money to defend their white supremacy and do their dirty work in American politics. White power Rednecks in America love to use these characters as chess pawns in promoting their agenda. COONING!

SAGGIN Backwards = N****S

Who Invented SWAG?

Sound so soulful don’t you agree

I invented swag

Poppin’ bottles, puttin’ supermodels in the cab, proof

I guess I got my swagger back, truth

New watch alert, Hublot’s

Or the big face Rollie I got two of those

Arm out the window through the city I maneuver slow

Cock back, snap back

See me cut through the holes…. Jay-Z & Kanye (Otis)

Ok people; Let Me Get Focused…

Back to the topic at hand, it seems that every few years or so a new slang reigns supreme amongst people from all walks of life. A few popular ones that immediately come to mind are terms or catch phrases like Po Po, Biatch, Fo’ Shizzle, That’s Hot, It is what It is, Crunk, Cuddie, Mean Muggin and the classic DMV all time favorite YUN! But by far the number one leader of the pack in the clubhouse right now is the term SWAG aka SWAGGER. I mean everybody and their mama has used this slang at some point in the past year, young/old, white/black/purple, rich/poor, entertainer/professional I mean ERRR-body.

What I don’t know and am dying to find out is who coined the term in the first place? Was it cool a** Sidney Potier in his “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” epic film, Billy Dee Williams and his Colt 45’s, Denzel Washington and his killer B-Boy Stance, Michael Jackson Moon-walking on the stage at Motown 25, Michael Jordan on the Basketball court dunking over his opponents, Deion Sanders high stepping on the football field on his punt and interceptions return for touchdowns, the Dusaki Beer man or was it my old man S.O.? Yes, the man that coined the infamous “I have been flashy before you were born”. Yup, my old man is officially SWAGGED out.

So when I actually heard Jay-Z recently proclaim himself to be the originator and leader of SWAG nation, all that came to mind was Hold on Playa! Why “Hov” acting like he never been to Nigeria before? Us Nigerians are born with three blood types X, Y, & S and the S is for SWAGGIN!   

Little do people know that term SWAG has been around since the 70s. In some parts SWAG is used to describe bad hashish or weed. What if I were to tell you that William Shakesphere was the first to coin the term in an English publication? (You can look it up yourself).

The truth is black people and people of color have perfected the art of playing on words and turning and giving it a new meaning. Folks; SWAG simply represents CONFIDENCE and a STATE OF MIND. And trust and believe me when I say I got a mean lineup of candidates male or female with killer SWAG!

Step your game up…

Hit the cut below for my All-Star Team "KOOL KEEDZ" SWAG!

My Skin is My Sin

What’s Good People?

The dictionary defines the term or color BLACK as “soil or stained with dirt gloomy; pessimistic; dismal lacking hue and brightness”. Thus the unfavorable terms; BLACK SWAN, BLACK-DAY, BLACK SHEEP, BLACK HAT, BLACK COMEDY, BLACK FRIDAY, etc…  You ready people? Let’s Go!

Ok people’ let me get focused…

I was watching television the other night and came across the CNN coverage of Amanda Knox arriving in her hometown of Seattle, Washington after being set free by the Italian court in a highly publicized murder trial. She was being celebrated in similar fashion as heads of states or some larger than life dignitary the caliber of a Pope or the late Great Michael Jackson.  But wait a minute only a few weeks ago; Troy Davis was EXCUTED by the United States government after being convicted of murdering a police officer while on duty. Must I not forget this past summer all the rage was about Casey Anthony and her acquittal of murdering her 2 year old daughter on charges of aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter? So in the past six months I have witnessed two Caucasian females set free by the justice system here in the United States and abroad and a Black male put to sleep despite mounting evidence that suggest he might be innocent? WTF!

The Back-story:

Amanda Knox: A knife was recovered by police at the crime scene suggesting that it was the murder weapon with Knox’s DNA on the handle and the victim’s blood on the blade. Knox also gave a confession that was deemed inconsistent with her whereabouts on the night of the crime. Bloody footprints of both Knox and her co-defendant were also found in Knox’s bedroom. There are witness accounts and suspect behavior by Knox that would suggest that she either participated or knew of the attack against the victim. The mounting evidence just piles on against Knox when you research the case.

Footnote: Did you know that an African Rudy Guede a native of the Ivory Coast was convicted in the same Knox case and is serving over 25yrs in jail today after being the first to be convicted amongst the three defendants (Knox, Sollecito and Guede). And please do remember that Knox initially blamed another innocent Black man Patrick Lumumba a Congolese nationale who ran a bar in Perugia, Italy who is now suing Knox for defamation.  

Casey Anthony: This trial led to an acquittal after 400 pieces of evidence were presented against the defendant. A strand of hair was recovered from the trunk of Anthony’s car that was deemed a match to that of the victim’s hairbrush. The defendant was alleged to have waited up to six weeks before reporting her daughter missing and subsequently upon the search the remains of the body was found in the woods in a baggy near by the family home.

Troy Davis: Despite being sentenced to death and executed just two weeks ago; these are the disturbing facts in Mr. Davis case that remain unanswered: (1) No physical evidence directly links him to the murder. (2) No murder weapon was ever found. (3) The case against him primarily rested on witness testimony and since his trial, SEVEN of nine key witnesses have recanted or changed their testimony. Some alleging police coercion. 

All the while I was raised to believe the edict that America is the land of the FREE where “All Men Are Created Equally”. Let me tell you about my America where race and the color of your skin is still used against you EVERYDAY. Money and ties to the local country-clubs are where justice is served. And in fact, it is not your truth that counts or matters only that of the 70 year-old judge sitting on the bench who believes his the smartest person walking the face of planet earth.

People of color wherever we are in this world suffer from political, social, psychological and economic exploitation at the hands of the powerful white elites and from our own kind filled with greed. As a result of this exploitation, people of color generally are purposefully put into situations where the commissions of criminal acts are seen as the most effective solution to their problems. Most whites, still remain daft and will probably never understand the quandary in which most Black people find themselves today. Stolen from their homeland (with help from the same greedy natives in some cases), forced to work under the most horrid conditions imaginable for no money and kept in slavery of different forms and fashions up to this very day, Black people have been under the constant control of Whites. And today, their most effective means of maintaining control is through the criminal justice system.

Black people are absolutely correct when they say “there is no justice there is JUST US”. Look in any courtroom in any urban area, what you will find is a steady stream of Black males going to jail and a steady stream of White males going home. When Whites don’t win, they want to take their bat and ball and leave the field, only to play again under a new set of rules. THEIR RULES!

Even the most die-hard integrationist must admit that there is racism in the criminal justice system. Just how much, however, is up for debate. Is it too much of a reach to assume that the prejudices of the larger society are also held by judges, cops, lawyers, bail bondsman, etc? Sure we have some internal issues in our communities that we must attend to. But all races do and I ask my non-colored friends to check their prejudices and biases at the door before you take the bench the next time. 

Give me WHITE Justice…

NIGERIA @ 51: THE PRESERVATION OF A DEMOCRACY

What’s Really Good People?

They say TOUGH times don’t last long only TOUGH people do. Life is all about dusting yourself up and digging back into the batter’s box and looking to take the next pitch over the fence. If you are a Nigerian, this is all you know…

Ok people; let me get focused…

Using a very popular golf term, Nigeria is now TEEING-OFF on the BACK 9! And for those unfamiliar with this term, just think of it as your opportunity to go against Usain Bolt coming down the home stretch in a 4X100 meter relay final or our beloved Super Eagles of Nigeria needing to pull-off an improbable result by beating Guinea with a TWO goal margin in October’s qualifying match if they have any hopes of advancing to the 2012 African Cup of Nations. Here is the thing; before one can go forward and take on such an enormous challenge head-on, it is absolutely obligatory to take a deep breath, reflect and learn from the mistakes that helped to manifest itself in ones current state of affairs. As we say back home in NAIJA “How did I get myself in this kind of WAHALA O”?

You might ask what is the correlation between the examples aforementioned and the current state of affairs in Nigeria TODAY? Well, this week Nigeria turns 51 and the sole burden and responsibility to better our nation’s dire political and social-economic affairs lies within us not outside. Far too often we as a nation have been so quick to point the finger, place blame onto others but yet still offer no solutions. The question I choose to address is how do we keep a democratic society from slipping back into a non-democratic one?

In the past 10 months alone we have witnessed countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Cote d’Ivoire topple amidst pressure from its citizens who demand a change in governance and human rights policies. Nigeria itself has been subjected to daily acts of unrest due to frustration or failure to counter corruption, boko haram, terrorism and diminished manufacturing output, lack of electricity, insecurity and unemployment.

To my knowledge there have only been two multi-century democracies; the United Kingdom and United States. It is my hope that we as a nation avoid the site of what the rest of the world have come to witness in the aforesaid countries and a sensible corrective action plan be implemented with taught and diligence. The irony of it all is that for all their faults be it ones personal ambition to amend the constitution and run for unprecedented 3^rd term in office, the unwise choice of the anointing the sickly Umar Yar’adua as his successor or the annulment of JUNE 12 elections the military officers who include Generals Obansajo, and Babangida gave Nigeria relative peace after gaining our independence from the British and should not be used as pawns in a political game to score cheap points. Rather politicians should firstly be consistent and address issues and tell the electorate what they have to offer instead of MUDSLINGING.

Going forward the populace needs to be better educated and careful in its decision making as it relates to the betterment of our country. We as the voting public and citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must improve and value the importance of thinking for ourselves, evaluating information and decision making. A good democracy calls for an educated CITIZENRY. Currently the darker parts of Nigeria’s history are glossed over since they reflect badly on our mythology as an under-achieving nation. This slant also minimizes the effort of the common people to overcome the power of the elite, most notably in labor relations.

 

Finally, democracy is not based on the practice of exclusion or an “Us vs. Them” attitude. It is actually based on inclusion and participation and most importantly on the will of the majority having their way while the minority has their say. At our core Nigerians are deeply optimistic and gloomy about the future of our country and they want leaders to lead. It is my hope that in these NEXT 50 years, the people of Nigeria will be energized and care so much that they take the time to show up and contribute in meaningful discussions. We will tackle tough issues and want solutions to problems that ail us. We shall make tough choices and want straight answers to straight questions.

Happy Birthday Nigeria!!!

Contributions to this blogpost were made by Awori Youth & Robert D. Feinman.