Profound Responsibility

Beautiful People,

In light of our recent state of affairs as humans becoming, I'd like to talk to you all about something. I can already foresee some people getting defensive about the topic so please know that you shouldn't take my life's perspective personal, but if you do, I LOVE U, but I shall not apologize. Anywho, we're getting ready to talk about what I like to call, profound responsibility; meaning, we are all in one way or another responsible for one another. whether it be taking care of our parental obligations or treating others as we desire to be treated, it is true, we are our brothers and sisters keepers.

Being the second oldest of 6 siblings, I grew tired of being the caretaker early. While the rest of my friends enjoyed being regular kids, I was cooking, cleaning, combing hair, running bathwater and helping w/homework. I even learned how to potty train. So it was no surprise to anyone that my perspective on family life did not involve me being a mother. However, after a bit of reflection and some serious self introspection I've decided to reconsider the possibility. I now understand my role in my family unit. It was my profound responsibility to make sure that my sisters were cared for, and that was the bottom line. I can calmly rest in the fact that today they are all wonderful young women who have not been beaten down by life's perils cause I did the best I could do. I recognize now that it is my profound responsibility to always be the best person I can be in any situation in order to contribute to the evolution of others in a positive manner.

Although, I'm a borderline anarchist, I decided that the magnitude of this years election outweighed my personal convictions so I casted my vote. With that being said, I am super excited for President Barack Obama, however, it has nothing to do with the fact that he is black. He is simply an amazing spirit. He has transcended the race issue and most people don't even realize it. His accomplishments are exceptional, the fact that he attended and graduated from Harvard Law is impressive enough. However, the content of his character is being overshadowed by the color of his skin and its rather sad. He acknowledged and accepted his profound responsibility of being a leader, not a BLACK leader, but a leader that just so happens to be black. Honestly, us AA's complain so much about racism and stereotypes, and have the faintest idea that we actually perpetuate them in our everyday existence. I'm not taking anything away from having pride in our culture, but the moment we attach race to an individual's accomplishment, we are setting ourselves back by believing that race is THE important factor.

Something I also find a little funny is our lack of community as a culture. It is true, we have been assimilated and forced to create a culture out of the limited amount of information we were given however, we've gotten comfortable with our minority status and needing "permission" to do things. the culture has adopted the "poor me" syndrome and it's exactly what our ancestors fought so desperately to dispel. So, the moment someone decides to step up and take charge of their life, living without the ideals of racial and economic constraints they are often ostracized and considered an arrogant sell out. How is this being supportive? There is a serious issue with people not being able to sincerely celebrate the achievements of others without feeling envious and jealous, even if it remains hidden. We have actually allowed hating to become popular and claim to welcome it. This had to be one of the most ridiculous idea I've almost ever heard. Wanting to be popular and/or famous just to see how many haters we can acquire, idoicracy. These actions spawn the notion of individuals playing their cards close to their chests, cause aswe as a whole appear a bit untrustworthy. Now, I'm gonna introduce a portion of a conversation I recently had with a dear friend of mine on this exact thing, he states; "have you noticed how black people always want to be exclusive when they come across something good (where you get them Jay's? I'm not telling you or I won't be the only person with em) the truth is no idea is original, nothing is exclusive. the way white kids go to Harvard and get good jobs is because they share the exclusive secrets and put their people on! same with foreigners..."

Truthfully, as he and I discussed, the problems we currently face are a direct reflection on the views held by our generation. We've taken materialism, buffoonery and misogyny to the next level. Instead of most of our parents instilling fundamental values in us, they gave us whatever we asked for or demanded, and made excuses when we became complacent with having things handed to us. I've seen the beautiful music of so many souls die within them because they're simply caught up in the hype and are afraid to step outside the box. Yes Barack Obama has made a dream become reality, but the up-lifting of our people is not his burden to bear. We helped him reach his destiny, but it is up to us to take responsibility for ourselves and each other and become the change we wish to see in the world, or else his accomplishment is just another thing to be added to the history books.

So, turn off the TV, put down the Wii stick, stop forwarding ridiculous text messages, and other thing that could possibly be decelerating your evolutionary pace and get connected to the universal power that drives us to be GREAT. Spend quality time with those you love and do something nice for those you may not know. When we start living in a state of gratitude, the sun will shine upon our heads everyday.

Word from the wise:
When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change. -Deepak Chopra

As Always,

Ms. Shu Shu

My Girl Got A Girlfriend

Greetings Fam,

Sorry, but I have to jump right into this one...It's absolutely hilarious to me how anyone living in America today can believe that they're character is not affected by media of any medium. We live in a capitalistic society that thrives on peoples insecurities, curiosity and most of all...arrogance. The era of the "pseudo baller" is in full effect as mindless souls wait for the next video, web cast or CD to emerge and give them their next move. With that said, I'd like to discuss an ever growing epidemic, we'll call it, "my girl got a girl friend". Now I know female sexuality has been known to cause wars and the like, let's be honest, for the most part it's undeniable. However, I happen to believe it is vastly misunderstood by the opposite sex, it shows in their multiple attempts to exploit it. We're very liberal now, so a woman being sexually attracted to another woman is not that big of a deal at this point. You see it all day on TV and hear about all night on the radio. It's the allure of the menage a troi that causes some men to convince themselves they need it in their lives. At the moment the the idea is conceived, it's perceived from a singular perspective, sexual gratification for self. Most selfish acts come with some sort of consequence, this one is no different. I'll give you an example, a man, we'll call him John, suggests to his wife Jane they invite another woman into their bed. Jane is not initially convinced, but after a few years of relentless persuading she decides to give her husband what he wants. Jane sets out to find the right woman and stumbles upon Mary, a coworker. Mary entertains the couples request, but after being in the moment for a short time, she changes her mind, gets up and leaves the couple high and dry. Of course John is pissed, cause his fantasy is still merely a fantasy. However, Jane who was only moderately interested in the beginning, has a heightened curiosity involving other women now. So, she decides to venture out to find her own girl on girl experience, and runs into Lisa. Lisa unlike Mary, is comfortable with her sexuality and is ready to give Jane exactly what she's been waiting for. After Jane and Lisa become acquainted, Lisa is introduced to John in a roundabout way. John is immediately attracted to Lisa, has an idea that she and his wife are a bit more than just friends, and suggests that Jane ask Lisa to join them in bed this time. Jane is reluctant, so John decides to take matter into his own hands and asks Lisa himself. Surprisingly, Lisa obliges, but things don't necessarily go as planned. Lisa is not as attracted to John as he is her and she is Jane, hence Jane and Lisa have a wonderful time pleasing one another, and John is left as a sideline spectator. After all is said and done, John is furious, and tells Jane that he never wants to do that again. But where does that leave Jane and her new found sexual identity? Now, there are multiple things wrong with this scenario. First, Johns initial thought was not thoroughly contemplated. Second, he employed Jane to find the other woman, giving her a leg up on him. Third, his fantasy in no way coincided with his reality and he was crushed. He was ill prepared to witness his wife moaning for another woman louder than she had for him in years. Can we say...deflated ego?! Sorry fellas, but the majority of you actually have the nerve to underestimate women in all they do. You feel that your manly physique gives you an automatically elevated status but you're devestated to find that there are women out here just as serious as you are. The moment you relaize it, your woman is already being wooed by another woman, and you go from extraordinary to regular. All I can say is, be mindful and very careful what you aske for, you just might get it, and it may not be what you intended to have at all. It's like they say, what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. Just do you!

As Always,

Ms. Shu Shu