Why Malcolm X is not Killmonger

When I was growing up I would hear the name Malcolm X and immediately think radical revolutionary, “By any means necessary” and that he was the total opposite of Dr. King. What many of us fail to see is that Malcolm X is an example of growth and spiritual awareness. His journey was public and he was brave enough to share it with the world.

We do a disservice to the legacy of Malcolm when we liken what he has done or his stance to fictional characters. In the spotlight of the Marvel blockbuster Black Panther there are those who liken the anti-hero Killmonger portrayed by Michael B. Jordan as a representation of Malcolm. Killmonger may have a passion for his people but he is fueled by vengeance and is a murderer. That was not Malcolm.

Upon his return from Mecca, Malcolm became enlightened and recognized that spiritually we are one under the umbrella of the creator. This did not make him less adamant about fighting for freedom for our people, it provided insight and made him aware that this fight for freedom is for ALL people.

50 years ago Malcolm X was murdered in Harlem. We remember this day with reverence and insight. Physically he is not with us but the spirit of his enlightenment, his courage to challenge the status quo and stand by his ideals will always be with us. We honor him for this. Thank you Malcolm.

-Precise

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Colorism didn’t start with Kodak Black or Amber Rose’s light skin tears 

Instagram – @kodakblack

Kodak Black needs a PR rep and media training immediately. He is still at the stage in his life where he thinks not having a filter is cool. He hasn’t grasped the concept of speaking your mind without offending others. Kodak has had his share of run-ins with the law and was just recently released from jail. I guess now that he is free he has decided to say what he wants. 

Social media has a way of giving you the illusion that you can say what you want. For example, about a week ago someone asked Kodak on his Instagram live what he thought about KeKe Palmer. “Keke Palmer, she straight, I’d bag her, but I don’t really like black girls like that, sorta kinda.” Kodak said. 

Of course Kodak got destroyed on Twitter and because he was being attacked he went back to social media to clarify his stance right before he deleted his instagram “I love Black African American women its just not my forte to deal with a “darskin” woman I prefer them to have a lighter complexion than me #MyPreference #F**kYou,” I’m sure that worked exactly how he wanted to, but just to make sure while he was at a basketball game and some publication gave him another opportunity to make things right he says “If [a man] can say he like skinny women, if he prefers skinny women more than a chubby or heavy-set woman, he can say that and nobody will get mad at him,” he said. “I can say that I don’t like women with my complexion, I like light skin women, I want you to be lighter than me. I love African-American women, but I don’t like my skin complexion.” 
“We too gutter. Black people, my complexion, we too gutter,” Kodak said. “Light skin women, they’re more sensitive. [Dark skin women], they too tough. Light skin women, we can break ‘em down more easy.” 

Instagram – @amberrose

Now the founder of “The Slut Walk” Amber Rose is all hurt because she was so pretty and light skin when she was younger that it ruined her life and we should all come together as one color and sing bad and bougie in unison. 
In all truth, I don’t have any opinion on how Kodak Black or how Amber Rose feels. I have more of an opinion on what makes them feel the way that they do. I take issue with people acting like all of this is brand new.

We live in America, where according to the Guardian and data collected for The Counted, Black males aged 15-34 were nine times more likely than other Americans to be killed by law enforcement officers last year. This is the same country where Bill Maher’s mention of the word house nigger stirs up controversy because he used the word nigger, but let’s be real if Bill was black he’d be light skin and probably would be a house nigger and he would be happy about it. 

This is the same country where certain Black Greek organizations would use the so-called “brown paper bag test” to determine who would qualify as members. You can scan social media on any given day and see someone being accused of being light skin meaning acting weak, or shady, or whatever definition fits at the moment. Those same platforms may say some one is acting dark skin meaning being aggressive, tough and mean. It’s all just jokes until a celebrity says it then everybody is all up in arms. 
Colorism did not start with Kodak Black. He is a victim of it. So much so that he doesn’t even realize how he is perpetuating self hate by sharing a preference for a skin tone based on how he thinks someone with a darker skin tone acts. 
Miss me with the fake outrage about what Kodak said and let’s deal with how racism how clearly made us so sick that we don’t even love ourselves and the skin that we are in properly. 
There has been a race of people in this world who have conquered, colonized, raped and pillaged and they would pass the brown paper bag test with flying colors. So who is really gutta?

It’s time we deal with this head on. And in the words of Posdanus from De La Soul “I know this so I point at Q-Tip and he states Black is Black.” 
-Precise

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Haiti got free today! – What are you waiting for?

2017 is here and you can feel the shift in the air. People are preparing and planning, resolving and recalibrating. It’s especially poignant this year because in less than 20 day the United States will have a new president. It’s sobering news for some and inconsequential to others. One thing for sure is that this is the moment to get free. The time has come where the oppressed must galivanize and affect change directly.

On this day in 1804 Haiti claimed it’s independence. After ousting the French and the Spanish from the island the first independent Black Country was established in the Western Hemisphere. This is important to recognize all the time because it shows what can be done when a people have a resolve and one goal. The courage, bravery and orginazation it took for a group of slaves to overthrow their rulers should not be overlooked. There is power in the collective. A focused determination can and will shift the tide. 

In the spirit of Dessalines, in the spirit of Toussaint in this moment we claim our freedom and expect the best for our existence. Happy New Year and Happy Haitian Independence Day!!

-Precise

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Azealia Banks is a witch – Sacrificing Chickens (VIDEO)

 

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Photo Source: Instagram @azealiabanks

So I’m surfing twitter as I am known to do sometimes and I look to my left to see what’s trending. For some reason Azealia Banks who is no longer on Twitter because of some shenanigans from earlier on this year is number 3. So I investigate. Well what I found is that Azaelia is what some may call a Bitch except Bitch starts with a “W”. She is a Witch Yo!!

Azaelia has been sacrificing chickens in her closet for three years. She does this for her career and her life overall. Now as an avid chicken eater it would be quite hypocritical for me to comment on the sacrifice of some chicken. I mean I just had Harold’s the other day. Anyway Azealia is closing out the year with a bang.

What do you think about this? Let me know in the comments.

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Black Cubs fans on loyalty, patience and the World Series

Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward – Photo Source: Instagram @Cubs


The Cubs are currently one game away from winning the World Series after being down 2-1 to the Cleveland Indians and the city is still buzzing with excitement. It has been a long time coming and there are generations of people who have been waiting a lifetime to see this. Cubs fans embody the idea of being a fanatic. They love their team whether they win or lose. We spoke with a few of these individuals about why and what it means to be a Cubs fan.

Portia Hall

Name: Portia Hall

Profession: Paralegal

How long have they waited for Cubs World Series: 33 years

What does it mean to you to be a Cubs fan? 

Being a Cubs fan for me means loyalty! I have been a Cubs fan for over 30 years and I have been waiting for a long time for the Cubs to reach the World Series. My very first professional sporting event was a Cubs game when I was 3 years old and I have been a fan ever since.

Why are you a Cubs fan?

I’m a Cubs fan because I lived on the North Side of Chicago when I was a kid and that’s all that I saw. My Uncle also used to live with us when I was a little girl he’s a Cubs fan. He took my sister and I to our very first Cubs game in 1983.

What were your feelings when they won the pennant? 

I was absolutely elated! I cried that night and was very overwhelmed at the notion of it even happening. It was something that I had never seen in my lifetime and I was completely overjoyed!

Who is your favorite African American Cubs player of all time and why? 

My favorite African American Cubs player is Andre Dawson. He was just so cool to me and represented us well.

How will you celebrate if they win the World Series?

I will definitely be at any parade that the city will have for them, and the night they win I’ll probably do a lot of screaming and crying.

Erik Coleman and his sister Kimberly


Name: Erik Coleman

Profession: Banking Center Manger

How long they have been waiting for a Cubs World Series: 40 years

What does it mean to you to be a Cubs fan? 
Dedication, loyalty and patience are what it means to be a Cubs fan.

Why are you a Cubs fan?
I grew in the inner South Side of the city surrounded by Sox fans. I became a Cubs in 1984 when I was a member of the Jackie Robinson West Cubs little league team.

What were your feelings when they won the pennant? 

I was very elated and felt satisfied with the results.

Who is your favorite African American Cubs player of all time and why? 
Andre Dawson is my favorite African American Cubs player. He played with intensity and had an awesome swing!

How will you celebrate if they win the World Series?
First, I will probably cry tears of joy, after that, I plan on going to the parade.

Cory Daniels

Name: Cory Daniels, aka Headline

Profession: Barber, Emcee
How long have they waited for a Cubs World Series: 40years

What does it mean to you to be a Cubs fan?
Being a Cubs fan means having pure dedication through thick and thin, good and bad times.

Why are you a Cubs fan?
I’m a Cubs fan because when my grandparents were living in New Orleans there was no team to watch on television. WGN was everywhere so they got hooked. When they moved to Chicago it never changed I would come home from school while moms and pops were at work and I was not allowed to touch the TV while the Cubs were on. So I became hooked and it’s been that way ever since.

What were your feelings when they won the pennant?
When the Cubs won the pennant, I had so many emotions. I thought of my grandparents my aunt and uncle who have all passed away. They were true blue Cubs fans.

Who is your favorite African American Cubs player of all time and why? 
My favorite African American Cubs player was and always will be Shawn Dunston because of his passion for the game.

How will you celebrate if they win the World Series?
I will celebrate with plenty of Jack Daniels mixed with tears as I stand outside of Wrigley Field.

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Seeing Chicago – 2 Sides


Sitting on Rush street in my 2000 Buick Lesabre watching people walk by and I realize how so many of us are living life so differently. One block from the magnificent mile and the streets are filled with tourists. They see a Chicago many of us don’t see. The beautiful affluent almost regal landscape that promotes luxury and the finer things. I ask myself, what did I miss? What am I doing wrong? I should be enjoying this way of life like everyone else. A man walks by me with a shirt that says “Accept No Limits” and in my mind I take heed.
None of us should be living bankrupt of happiness. It is not a commodity that should be bought and it should not be kept away from anyone and hoarded by the wealthy. It’s a beautiful clear day in Chicago on Rush street and the people are loving it.
Now I’m back on the South Side, the Starbucks on Stony Island and as I get out my car a man who appears to be homeless is staring me down as I walk towards the door. I am prepared to ignore him but he walks past me as we exchange an intense stare then he bends down at the front of my car as if he has found something. I think about saying something but I’m just here to charge my phone.
Starbucks is an oasis in the South Side even though they got rid of the comfortable couches replacing them with bar stools and long tables. I can’t help but think about the vibe in just left sheer opulence only to return to a busy street with a coffee shop oasis. I’ve been transported by way of lake shore drive between two different worlds within the same space.

Precise – Photo Credit: Kahlid Lamarre


‘Son of a preacher man’ plays in the background of this warm Starbucks and the cooler plays a loud hum over the music. Yup, I’m back on the South Side. Back on the side off town that out-of-towners fear. The side of town where the sound of a gunshot is just as natural as the sound of laughing children. The side of town that seems to be neglected by those who have. The side of town where I was born.

I love the south side.
-Precise

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Jean Grae joins forces with Marvel for Black Panther Soundtrack

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Jean Grae a Hip-Hop superhero of sorts has partnered with Marvel and released “What You Came For” The track is epic and is totally fitting for Marvel’s upcoming movie Black Panther written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Grae sounds inspired over the Quelle Chris produced track. This dynamic duo has been churning out some creative stuff lately. I’m looking forward to see whats next.

Jean had this to say about the collaboration with Marvel “The amount of things recently that have made my heart soar are very minimal. It’s been a traumatic, gut-wrenching time. Getting the call to be a part of this project did make my heart soar. Getting a call from Marvel to do anything should do that, and it does—but it’s Black Panther, and Ta-Nehisi is writing it. I can’t think of any other artistic contribution that I would have wanted to do right now.”

-Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

Chance the Rapper will host Magnificent Coloring Day in Chicago

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Chance the Rapper continues his rise and increases his relevance to the music industry. Chance is kicking off his national tour known as “Magnificent Coloring Day Festival” at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre in San Diego on Sept. 15. The most anticipated date is arguably Sept. 24 when he returns to Chicago and hosts the first ever festival to be held at U.S. Cellular Field on the South Side of Chicago, the home of the Chicago White Sox.

This is yet another accomplishment in the this independent young artist’s career. Earlier this year he partnered with New Era to redesign the White Sox Cap. The design of the cap is similar to the logo of the musical collective, The Social Experiment. The collective was founded by Chance and Donnie Trumpet.

Chance is bringing along a few of his industry friends. John Legend, Alicia Keys, Skrillex, 2 Chainz, Young Thug, Tyler the Creator, And Lil Uzi Vert are on the bill.

Chance has been pushing the boundaries as an independent artist, He is the example of what can be accomplished with solid team and social media savvy. His latest release, Coloring Book, is the first release to chart on Billboard 200 based on streams. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences now considers free albums and mixtapes with regards to their nominations as a result of petitions and the large swell of support that Chance has garnered. This means that you do not have to sell an album to be considered for a Grammy. Not bad for Lil Chano from 79th.

Chance’s tour lines up the same weekend as AHH fest. AHH fest is the festival created by Common that is reviving itself after a yearlong break. It will be interesting to see how this plays out come September.

Learn more about The Magnificent Coloring tour here.

The day I met ‘The Greatest’

ali

I remember coming from the Watertower with Chris Rice headed to a studio session and as we were walking down Chicago Ave I looked to my right into a hotel window and The Champ was sitting down talking to a few people. We immediately went inside to meet him. I turned into a 10 year old instantly. We went over and was like HEY CHAMP and he stopped his conversation stood up and shook our hands. I am not too proud to say how geeked I was. I was on a high for the rest of that day. I’ve met many a “celebrity” in my day but the day I met Muhammad Ali was one I will hold dear for the rest of my life.

Very few people have impacted the world in the way that he did. When you spoke with him you knew the spirit of the creator was with him. I strive to have that type of light. We all have that light. Ali was the example of what it looks like. God Bless THE GREATEST!

-Precise

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Check him for a wire or an ear piece…Please: Be a Man!

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One time I was on the redline going wherever it was I was going and I ran into a young lady on the train. She was pretty and had an Erykah Baduesque vibe before anything like that even existed. We started talking and we found out that we knew some mutual people. This is pre-facebook, so she asks “Hey what school do you got to?”  I say “I go to Olive Harvey.” She asks” Do you know such and such?” she then names one of my closest friends at the time and I say “Yeah that’s my boy I know him and his girlfriend, they are pretty cool.”

The next day I get to the lunchroom at Olive Harvey and our mutual friend pulls me to the side and asks me did I meet such and such on the train yesterday and why did I say I knew his girlfriend. The young lady I met was in fact his girlfriend and I just bust him out without even realizing it. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Chicago is really small and to never talk about your friends relationships with anyone else other than your friend. I internalize that as one of my man laws and that is one I will never violate.

This brings me to more recent times and this recent lack of tact when it comes to acknowledging and keeping any unwritten man law. D’Angelo Russell of the LA Lakers recorded a private conversation that he was having with Nick Young about women he has or hasn’t has sex with. It wouldn’t be a big deal if Nick Young was not engaged to the “Fancy” Iggy Izalea and if it didn’t get released. Then you have a dude who calls himself Partynextdoor posts a picture of himself in bed with a young lady Kehlani who was supposedly dating Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kehlani later posted a picture of herself in the hospital as a result of the backlash she received because of the picture she attempted suicide. Then Chris Brown decides he needs to share his commentary and say this woman didn’t attempt suicide she just wanted attention.

There is a different breed of man out here. He is hyper sensitive, petty and easily offended. It’s not a good look. It seems like men have lost their way. So allow me to remind men of a few rules.

1.Be a MAN!

2. You don’t sleep with your friends girl.

3. You do not get involved in gossip. 

4. You do not dry snitch of your friend.

5. If no one asks you don’t volunteer information.

6. Don’t kiss and tell.

7. Keep your business to yourself. 

8. Don’t be petty.

9. Do not engage yourself in a public argument with a woman (you will lose)

10. Mind your business.

I hope these reminders help. No one wants to be in a world full of suckers and snitches.

-Precise

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