Earthquake…Hurricane…What is Next?

What’s really good people?

It has been one crazy week folks. First; handling my business with the “Kool Keedz” and in the middle of our outing, out of nowhere comes an EARTHQUAKE recorded at a 5.8 and who is right smack at the epicenter of it all? Your man “Big P”! Now heading into this weekend, hurricane IRENE is planning to put in work and do some major damage up and down the east coast. This is no laughing matter people but hey, what is your man to do? I know one thing, like my pops Baba Luko would say; “HOMEBOY, make una go get some coverage & flood insurance o… Ok Bro?” Pops is a funny man, he swear he the Nigerian CNN Wolf Blitzer… LMAO! So what is next and where do we go from here?

Ok people; let me get focused…

So am going to lead this week with these two statements; the next time you encounter a natural disaster, make sure you don’t have a CRAPPY mobile carrier i.e. (SPRINT) as nobody would ever know that you pulled through and survived. For all the advances made technologically in the past 30 years am always amazed how the phone lines and cell towers are always the first to go down in the mixed of a disaster or crisis. Also, if you have time to be TWEETING or FACEBOOK-ING, giving a play by play run-down of the earth and ground shaking then you were more interested in running your gums than you were your survival. This social media thing is starting to become more and more a blessing and a curse for REAL.

At this point, am more inclined to believe everything and anything about the world really coming to an end. The rash of natural disasters that are happening everywhere these days has made me almost numb to any breaking news. Heading home the other day I heard that the DMV was put on a State of an Emergency watch. And all am thinking is for what? I mean it’s not like we have another blizzard from 2 years ago in the works? Now that was truly a crisis, too bad I was in Nigeria vacationing the whole month in that 95 degree heat and missed it. Looool. And has anybody ever noticed or paid attention to how people typically respond to natural disasters? I don’t care how much emergency planning or drills you run ahead of time to prepare, when s**t goes down people just go Forrest Gump and RUN!

I also believe the media sensationalizes these isolated incidents in the first place to create a state of paranoia amongst people. Anything to boost the economy like preparing people for Armageddon outside is always good for business. And if news reporters were really concerned about safety and the well-being of families, wouldn’t they be running for cover or concentrating on protecting their own loved ones? But Nooooooo… It is always Bob or Hank standing right smack in the middle of the action trying to provide us some live coverage. Anybody remember Al Roker getting blown away in a storm from back in the day? That was some funny s**t right there. That brother was Supa-Stupid!

KEY LESSONS TO TAKE FROM DISASTERS - A natural disaster can occur just about anywhere and I love how people continue to miss this very important point. An element of surviving a natural disaster that people don’t think about is art of protecting one’s self. When you go stocking up for items in your homes, don’t you think those that are without might reach a breaking point and come looking as well. In desperate times, people act crazy so don’t allow you to be made a victim. Protect yourself and family by holding some heat if necessary. I am not saying go out and start busting your gun but the sound of a burner will make a fool think twice before breaking into your home. I am totally against senseless killings but never rule out the worst and impossible in people when burdened by a crisis.

Remember last week when I gave you all my take on the whole cash vs. credit debate? Well go and see how good that credit card is when power lines, computers, and ATM’s all go out of wack and your family remains hungry and you looking like the “dumb a**” head of the household. In crisis time, you should only deal in “Straight Cash Homie”!

Always keep the little things like battery operated radios, flashlights and designate a central location when ever faced with a disaster. Also, never forget the importance of Water, Water, and more Water… People if you are told to Evacuate? Then E-VA-CU-ATE! Find a safe place to keep vital records, photo identification, passports etc…

In closing take heed from the little ones every once in a while. Ever noticed that kids are typically calmer than adults in the mixed of a crisis? That’s because they more than anybody recognize that they are not in control no matter how hard we try to circumvent bad situation.

So get on your knees & start PRAYING!

CASH STILL RULES EVERYTHING AROUND ME

So I was having some major writer’s block this week for some reason. I think part of the problem was I had way too many topics and ideas in my head I wanted to cover and fasting for Ramadan was not helping as my concentration was waning.

Ok People; let me get focused...

I went and solicited the help of the smartest soon to be six year old I know on this planet, my “Kool Keed” Nene (I actually have (2) Super Intelligent soon to be 6 yr old “Kool Keedz” – hit the cut below for my boy Ash Baba!).

I asked Nene tell me what you know about cash and these were her responses;

• We go to the bank to get CASH!
• We send/ give those we love CASH!
• Every rap song on the radio BOASTS about CASH!
• Girls REALLY LOVE CASH! 

 I told you all she is wise beyond her years…

But when I asked her to tell me what she knew about credit she first drew this big blank stare for a few seconds and then said “oh, it is what my daddy puts on his mobile phone”. Lol… (If you are Nigerian you get it). And there lies my point; if my niece at her age can put together the quick benefits of cash without being prompted but struggle to comprehend the value of credit then I remain firm in my position that the two can never be the same. In fact, my opinion remains “Cash will always reign supreme over Credit”.

By now you have probably figured out that this week’s blog post centers around the old debate Cash vs. Credit. I only bring this up because whenever I turn on the nightly news these days there is some financial analyst giving his take on current economic meltdown here in America. And if you have been keeping up the past couple of weeks, you would have probably heard about the United States getting stripped of its prized AAA credit rating from S&P (Standard & Poor’s) by being downgraded to AA-plus for the first time in history.

Anybody out there know Nigeria’s S&P rating?

Please don’t start cringing or dying of laughter. Well Africa’s most populous and top oil producing nation was rated a B+ as of November 2010. I think am still in shock or denial over that rating self…

So what is the value of having a good credit rating in today’s economy? Simply put, credit ratings are opinions about credit risk and nothing more. S&P’s ratings express the agency’s opinion about the ability and willingness of an issuer, such as a corporation or state or city government, to meet its financial obligations in full and on time. Therefore;

AAA – represents the best quality companies, reliable and stable (Excellence)

AA - quality companies, a bit higher risk than AAA (United States)

B - indicates financial situations varies noticeably (NIGERIA)

One of the principal fundamental differences in the “American mentality” and the “Nigerian way” is how we treat and manage capital. Americans are programmed to borrow or as my brother puts it “Pay as you Go”. On the other hand Nigerians and many others from third world countries have mastered the “Cash & Carry” system where apparently everything has its PRICE. Having seen both up close personally over the years, I actually think both are potentially dangerous if not managed with care.

Cash is the universal language – When have you ever conducted business or negotiated terms of your contract based on the credit rating or score you were being promised? Better yet, can you recall any moment in your work history that you were looking forward to your employer paying you in credit as part of your salary. Simply put, Cash has staying power and still has a place in today’s global economy. It also helps eliminate gray areas and more times than not there are no hidden fees or charges. Better yet if you do not have the means to own or buy an item outright then that means you should “Keep it Moving”. That is what cash does; it forces you to actually rethink what you are spending your hard earned wages on. By no means would I insinuate that there are no drawbacks when people only deal in Cash. I mean who wants there business out there in the streets that they walking around with a boat load of cash on him/herself (These streets do not love you back)? I have also come to experience that some people who go around flaunting their Cash (all for show) turn out to be destitute and even end up homeless as they live a reckless, hard crash and burn lifestyle.

My take on Credit - no matter how great an invention, convenient and easily assessable it can be; this thing has proven to be the death of many. It is a means to mask and cover up one’s financial short-comings. I also believe credit was instituted to give the poor and “have not’s” the ideology that they can continue to keep up with the Joneses (You know; Diddy & them). I hate to really say it but isn’t it a CO-WIN-KA-DINK that it’s generally a certain group of people that have good A+ credit anyways?  You see the whole system is flawed because it is set-up in a way that you have to own some type of credit to do anything in today’s financial climate. As a reminder know this about credit, it does not depend on how much money you actually have which often gets people into debt and in trouble with their finances. Consequently, you become a working man’s slave in the system.

There is a reason why my niece can tell me about the value of cash now but will possibly not grasp the full meaning of a good credit score or rating until probably she enters her mid-20s.

That is why I only do debit.

Lessons Learned from the UK Riots

What’s up family?

Don’t it seem like things were all good just a week ago? My peoples just touchdown from the UK, got to finally see (2) of my “Kool Keedz” and Nigeria had just won another group match in their world cup tournament. And then all of a sudden, it is riot season. How did all this go down? I have some thoughts. You ready? Let’s Go!

Ok people; let me get focused…

So I got to take in the news a few days back and came across a clip of the British Prime Minister talking “Real Reckless” when addressing parliament of how people will be persecuted for their roles in the recent UK Riots. That was until the Big Homie “A” gave me a quick rundown of dude’s bio. Come to find out ol’ boy is one of those elitist pompous a** pilgrims who comes from money, quick to talk like Liam Neeson in the movie Taken; talking about “I will find you and I will kill you….” Hold on Playa you not built like that PLAYBOY!

How come politicians don’t display this same sense of rage and outcry when their peers are ruining the lives of the young and others with wars – all while unemployment remains at an all-time high? It is very simple people, we are the suckers i.e. the voting public who continue to put “like for like” in office. The way politics and government is built and run today, it is people with money and influence who hold positions of power and authority who look out for self and common interest not the poor. Case in point, when Prime Minister Cameron learnt the riots were coming closer to the center of London’s elite property and commercial investment hub (the west end) he then authorized the deployment of 16,000 police officers, some brought in from areas such as Birmingham and Manchester were there subsequent riots going on. His claim was that they were there to protect the people; I say they were there to protect “their” investments.  

The issue itself is bigger than these riots. Simply put, riots are coordinated acts of many people. If they are coordinated, who coordinates them? Ever seen an episode of When Animals Attack on television? That’s what a riot typically reminds me of.

Question; how come when rich people riot it is to celebrate getting credited on their accounts for a pricing error at their local department store or arguing over a silly parking space in a wide open lot all because they believed they were there first and had just been wronged.

I have participated in a few riots in my day; the one that often comes to mind especially at this time of year was when I was in college, my peers and I would be fighting with the Bursars office at our financial aid office at the University of Maryland trying to get our aid money/check cleared so when can sign up for classes and purchase textbooks for the fall semester.

CAN’T WE ALL GET ALONG? The biggest riot of my generation that I can remember was the L.A. riots after the Rodney King verdict some 20 years ago.   Off course, you have your typical Nigerian riots back home as well when it is alleged that some type of discrepancy in voting for the general elections took place in order to determine the Presidency. So what do these examples I just gave you all have in common? POOR PEOPLE TRYING TO DO BETTER AND MAKE RIGHT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SITUATIONS. The one thing that bothers me and still gets under my skin is when you come across people who have the foggiest idea or a clue as to the outcry and rage in their community but join in and participate all because they think its cool.

To understand riots, one must understand the causes of social rage, usually said to be racism, poverty and lack of economic opportunity. I think the answers can be found more in what is presented on television, the growing rate of broken families and the current general political bewilderment in leadership. Maybe it was happenstance but did anyone not notice during this recent UK riot, people looting for the prize of flat-screen televisions in jubilation rather than in agony and fury at the injustice of the senseless killing that sparked the uproar to begin with. It is extremely difficult to contest and fight for equality in our communities when people basically are having an excuse to throw a Mardi Gras carnival type of party.

So Mr. Prime Minister if you want to play the part of Liam Neeson from the movie Taken I choose to counter by playing the role of Denzel Washington in the movie X. And even though the ending was not in Denzel’s favor I love my chances versus your soft cream puff a**. Speaking of soft, who knew my peoples in the UK had it in them. All of my experiences with people from the UK have generally been pleasant and cordial. And at the end of the day the riots may have started out as a result of the killing of a black man who’s family only learnt about his death on television but people used this opportunity to revolt against the austere cutbacks, tuition increases and other painful cuts being made by the government. If this riot has taught us one thing it is that when people are hurting and suffering whether it be in Cairo, Tunisia, Yemen or even the “civilized” UK they will always fight back.

Let all those who are saddled with steering the ship of “ANY” states beware… Look out for your people first because it is those same people who gave you the power or be prepared to feel their wrath! But I guess when a man gets tired and fed up with the same peanut butter & jelly bulls**t everyday he reaches his breaking point.

I Stand Alone…

Beware the Price of Fame "Wanna Be" Footballers

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL? Hell Yeah! It is the first week of August and all I have on the brain already is football, soccer, English Premiere League, National Football League etc… But first I spent the past week celebrating the “YOUNG” Flying Eagles of Nigeria put on an electrifying display of brilliance, fantastic quality and teamwork on the pitch in their under 20 men’s world cup tournament group matches held in Columbia. Make us proud boys and bring home the cup. Up Naija & Up Eagles!

Ok people; Let me get focused…

Young girls grow up aspiring to be surgeons, lawyers and contributing members of society. Long before the craze of boys wearing skinny jeans and carrying on looking like sissies, young boys grew up dreaming the life of a professional athlete who played a sport in order to provide for their families. I grew up in an era that all boys did after school was play soccer, football, basketball and track & field.  As we head into the start of another opening weekend of professional football worldwide in Europe (Com’on Liverpool) and here in United States (Go Vikings & Titans), I could not help but think about the talent on display by those same “YOUNG” Flying Eagles of Nigeria eager to show the world their qualities and talents. This here is no fairy tale with a happy ending; it is more the cruel tale of broken promises and the shame of never fulfilling ones wishes all in pursuit of riches.

Be it in Africa or here in America boys typically set their goals at a very young age with an eye to one day be on the biggest stage playing the sport they love. My interest and passion for sports definitely started very early in my up bringing. To the point that it consumed me enough that I actually envisioned myself living the life of a professional athlete. Was I good? Nah; “I was like Dat”. Your boy was “Da Truth” on the track, football field and basketball court. Let’s just say, I enjoyed competition. And the attention that came with it was so toxic to the point that you start to feel supreme and invincible amongst your peers, especially when everybody around you show you so much love and respect. Fortunately or unfortunately for me, the harsh reality was that I never did make it to the professional ranks in any of the sports I played. But in many ways I was lucky enough that I stayed on top of my studies and worked very hard in the classroom to parlay my athletic prowess into an academic scholarship at a major university. GO TERPS!

Unfortunately, not every story ends up with an ending such as mine. Growing up all my peers and I wanted was to be the one of the greats like Okocha, Zidane, Payton, Rice, Hakeem, Isiah, Magic and Jordan. Now young boys envision themselves as the next Drogba, Eto’o, Odemwingie, Moss, Tiger, Lebron, Kobe and Wade.  But for everyone one of these talented athletes of their generation, there are stories of youngsters who end up not making it who lead the life of vagabonds still yearning for their one shot at fame. Back home in Africa, the price of fame is so poisonous and striking that families who live in a destitute state mortgage their livelihoods and future all on the promise that their son will be destined to be the next big star.

How did we get to this state?

When you see professional clubs like Chelsea, Milan, Barcelona, Manchester United in Europe or here in the States teams like the Lakers, Celtics, Heat, Cowboys, Steelers, Patriots all you think about are the dollar signs. Just like in the inner cities and projects of America, Africa too encounter outsiders who come into our communities looking for their next big catch; the one superb gifted young man that can take them to the promise land. These men are the pariahs that salivate and droll all over themselves at the taught that their meal ticket is just a professional tryout away from fulfilling their life long dream of riches. These men have no conscious and they corrupt the minds of young vulnerable boys to the extent that working a conventional 9-5 and earning a honest wage of ample standards become frowned upon.

Take for example the story in Amanda Kloer’s piece “The Rise of African “Soccer Slavery” when she sites how Europe is flooded with soccer academies promising to take in promising young African Athletes and transform them into world class players. But these academies are often far from what they seem. The recruiters prey on families who need money, who have worked hard to give their children opportunities and who believe in the natural talent of their sons.  The prey on one of the most common hopes among little boys- the hope of becoming a professional athlete. Then they charge the families a fee to send a boy to the “academy” abroad, sometimes as much as a year’s salary, promising that the money will start pouring in as soon as the boy is signed to a professional team. More disturbing is the shame and guilt felt by many of the youngsters who end up on the streets and homeless with no support available or around to provide shelter and comfort.

Something that is commonly misunderstood by many and highly underpublicized is the life expectancy of a professional athlete. There are too many variables and unknowns that only a select few become the exception and go on to have lengthy and celebrated careers rather than the typical short-lived, injury filled, nomadic journey far too many experience. For an every Okocha or Drogba there is an Emanuel Amunike. And for an every Kobe or Jordan there is always a Harold Miner or Jarmacus Russell. There are no guarantees and very few second chances given because there is always somebody waiting in the wing that is younger, stronger and ready to step in and make a contribution. Competing and playing sports in my adolescent years taught me several values one should have in life; the importance of discipline, teamwork, respect, accountability, persistence and hard-work. I hope that for every boy that picks up a ball and takes a liking to a sport in the future, he too is able to learn these valuable lessons “The Beautiful Game” has to offer not just the glitz and glamour that come with fame.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize.