STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS:P.XXI :THE VOICE

"MAKES
ME
WANNA
HOLLER"

Marvin Pentz Gaye

cru·ci·ble noun \ˈkrü-sə-bəl\

2: a severe test
3: a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development

Z.A Another look into America's backyard. The testament of Dashaun Jiwe Morris life bore as the crucible for the Newark New Jersey native to independently release his literary effort. As post 21st century reveals the high times of world politics, and the defining issues we confront on america's landscape from a left-wing view we become more familiar with voices of media, entertainment, and politics. The A.L.I.H.S.T series visits the "voices" of the wilderness of the inner city:

"At age 25, Jiwe, worn weary of gang culture, saw a way to reclaim his life and potentially save others through the power of the written word. At times painfully sad, "WAR OF THE BLOODS IN MY VEINS" is ultimately an inspiring testimony of hope, about humanity in the midst of evil, and turning tragedy into triumph. The book is filled with lessons for the next generation of youngsters coming up about the choices so many of them face to survive the streets, and the maturity and courage required to choose a better life"-

mosiacbooks.com

"But during a news conference on Wednesday, the association made it clear that Newark still faces sobering challenges. Although juvenile arrests on all charges have been dropping in recent years, the number of youths apprehended on drug charges jumped 66 percent in 2006, while the number found with weapons did not drop, a signs, officials said, that gang activity had an increasingly pernicious grip on teenagers here. "-

nytimes.com

Many rise daily to a reality where in a melting pot of social ills life gradually becomes a race against time and misfortune. Some individuals, to grassroots initiatives understand this; do the alternative is sought, or created. Jiwe takes one building block from his own life to issue out a caveat to the youth, and confirmation to others relative to his struggle and experience. The voice in the wilderness takes the time to cry: for one less casualty among the masses.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP 2011

MUSIC IS LIFE P.XXI : GENERATION GAP

"We got to have peace"-

CURTIS MAYFIELD

"Beginning of moral decay"

"USA TODAY's series overlooks the role Baby Boomers played in establishing the moral ambiguity that plagues us today. Their rejection of their parents' values, their idealism and their inexperience made them easy marks for Saul Alinsky, a community organizer who wrote the book Rules for Radicals.
Alinsky used the Boomers and their struggle against racial injustice to popularize his own radical agenda. Primary among that agenda was the moral freedom implicit in the dictum "the end justifies the means." Human nature, not the Boomer generation, is responsible for the abuse of this moral freedom, but understanding its historical context is a step toward recognizing and combating it."

Doris Kabureck; Palmetto, Fla.




One letter from a reader on the changing face of american generations since the years of the early 20th century. The term "baby boomers" emerged from the generations after 1945; post WWII. This letter gives the illustration of the moral/ethical value decline of america; from the struggle of the civil rights movement, to during and after the vietnam war.

• Race and ethnicity. Seventy-six percent of early Boomers are non-Hispanic whites, compared with 68% of those born later. Blacks are the largest minority among older Boomers but are outnumbered by Hispanics among younger Boomers. Blacks make up 12% of Boomers born in the 1960s; Hispanics are 13%.

-In the matter of the moral fiber, every generation since the mid 20th century up till now was responsible for raising and influencing the next to come. Post 21st century pop-culture plays a Major part of this and the coming generation. Amongst all ethnicities in america, since the baby boomer generation, has experienced a shaking in moral ethics; though pop-culture has a degree of influence to the social ills; the ultimate restoration begins within,the family structure. We close this early december brief post with a recent progressive effort from contemporary band "The Gorillaz" with a closing of a generational gap: two features of Mos Def and veteran soul singer bobby Womack. Aside from freedom of speech and political agenda's, if america reckonizes a moral decay and its fruits, it only calls the masses to be conscious of what we leave behind for the next generation. Peace.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XVIII :ISLAM IN AMERICA P.II

“I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want.”-

Cassius Clay(Muhammad ali)





"On Islam, let's choose pluralism over prejudice

By Eboo Patel
About the best thing that's said about Muslims these days is they can't all be bad. Maybe so, others insist — but they all have that potential. This is the logic of prejudice, which holds up the worst elements of a community and fears that the rest will follow.
America is great because it believes in a very different idea — the logic of pluralism. The logic of pluralism affirms that every tradition has achievements, every community has gifts, and our nation is stronger when it invites those communities to contribute to the common good."-

One hot topic relevent to America. Language of one covers the controversy of islam post 21st century; with part II giving insight to base to Islam's holy book(Q'uran), and practicing muslim's in america in contrast to Jihadist's(holy war), coined by mass media as worldwide terrorism:

"Muslims believe that the Qur’an was revealed from God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel from 610 to 632 CE, the year of his death.[5][9][10] Muhammad recited the Qur’an to his followers, numbering tens of thousands, who recited after him, until they had memorized it. He also dictated it to his scribes (Muhammad was illiterate) who wrote down its verses during his life. Shortly after Muhammad's death the Qur’an was established textually into a single book form by the order of the first Caliph Abu Bakr.[11] During the reign of Uthman"-

Wikipedia

-Due to the countless accounts of Jihad from within and without the states, and post 9/11, practicing muslim's began to become targets of hate crimes. In politics, from the Bush administration to Obama's, Islam was ultimately reckonized as a religion of peace.

The face of Jihad reflects on the atrocities of 9/11,(through the interpretations of Osama Bin laden and Al Qaeda suicide bombings of the present day iraqi democracy, and attacks internationally. Fundamental jihad runs on a strong belief system; one that governs the goals of some islamic states(Iran).

"President Obama focused on the importance of pluralism in his recent trip to Indonesia, a nation with the largest Muslim population on the planet, but also sizable communities of other faiths. He spoke personally of how Indonesia's diversity enriched his childhood experience in that country. And he spoke presidentially of how viewing diversity as a strength can help grow a nation's economy, stabilize its politics and make its culture more attractive."

-The obama's administration campaigns the ideal of pluralism to accept the diversity of religion in america, Including Islam. Language of one gives a brief insight to the contrast of fundamental and more radical forms of Islam. We close with "Narcycist" an independent islamic based hip hop group on feature this thursday with their views on stereotype, politics and faith.


THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

MUSIC IS LIFE P.XVII: THE FAMILY STRUCTURE

"ALL THAT I GOT IS YOU"-

DENNIS COLES(GHOSTFACE KILLAH)

"The American family structure is considered a traditional family support system involving two married individuals providing care and stability for their biological offspring. However, this two-parent, nuclear family has become less prevalent, and alternative family forms have become more common.[1] The family is created at birth and establishes ties across generations.[2] Those generations, the extended family of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins, can hold significant emotional and economic roles for the nuclear family.

The family structure of African Americans has been a matter of national public policy interest.[26] The 1965 report by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, known as The Moynihan Report, examined the link between black poverty and family structure.[26] It hypothesized that the destruction of the Black nuclear family structure would hinder further progress toward economic and political equality"-

Wikipedia

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By observation every nationality, especially in america shares the standard of the nuclear family. The first decade post the 21st century reflects the progressive family structures in today's times. Notably in minorities the family structure is in direct relation to the culture of nationalties ie: Latino, european and african american. The above wikipedia reference to the black family was written in the mid-sixties, but streams of this particular struggle still resonate today. As many of my peers, past and present, 90% of them, including myself were raised in single parented households. In natural procreation, and child rearing the father plays just as much as an important role in an household as the mother. Being as many homes suffer at divorce and separation, the stats in america show:

"Single-parent homes in America are starting to become more common in today's society. With more children being born to unmarried couples and to couples whose marriages subsequently dissolve, children increasingly live with only one parent. The proportion of children living with a never-married parent has also grown, from 4 percent in 1960 to 42 percent in 2001. Of all one parent families, 83 percent are mother-child families."-

Wikipedia

- Below is an account/tribute to the single mother, showing a common day in her plight, one in particular, Christina figourea of the Bronx.



-We close with A reflective documentry on black fathers, a narrative along the streamline of the writings of Jawanza kunjufu. And a 2006 throwback of Ghostface's reflection of his own upbringing with one gem off the Fishscale LP.





THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 201O

LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XIV : THE 5% NATIONALITY

"Twelve Jewels"-

Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (RZA)

"The Tao of Wu is the second philosophical book written by prominent Wu-Tang Clan member and principal producer, RZA. It is a sequel to The Wu-Tang Manual."-

Wikipedia




"The Nation of Gods and Earths, sometimes referred to as NGE, Allah's Nation, the Five-Percent Nation, the Five-Percent Nation of Islam, or the Five Percenters was founded in 1964 in the Harlem section of the borough of Manhattan in New York City by Clarence Smith, known most commonly to the public at large as Clarence 13X, but referred to by his contemporaries and students as Allah (the Arabic word for God) or the Father. The Nation of Gods and Earths angered religious and political leaders, who viewed the group as little more than an offshoot of the Nation of Islam (NOI), which was already viewed by traditional Muslims as heretical. While the Nation of Gods and Earths is commonly characterized as an organization, an institution, a religion, or even a gang, representatives of the Nation teach that it is a way of living. The Nation of Gods and Earths teaches that the Original Blackman is God, the Original Blackwoman is the planet Earth, and through the inner esoteric powers of the Gods and Earths, people can transform and possess their true potential."-

Wikipedia


-As plainly stated by Wikipedia's definition, as plainly communicated in hip-hop culture over the years. Thursday is language of one:the global front of the NGE. In the U.S, the late 80's, throughout the 90's and early 2000's the east coast and midwest shot the popularity and philosophies of the nation to progressive high. It was proclaimed through artists as Wu tang, Rakim and Brand Nubian, also the culture of Busta Rhymes. Growing up in the bronx in my mid-teens i seen the influx of the nation, and its teachings(120 lessons) in the streets and among my peers. From a personal and socialogical effect, some studied and became involved, some studied for reference /knowledge (as myself), and due to its popularity some carried it as a fad. But other than instiutions who criticzed the nation, most in the culture respected the movement. In 2010 since its days in the height of popularity most chose their own faiths, idealogies and philosophies; but from the midwest to the borough's of New York some still raise the principles of nation's teachings high:




-As you seen in the feature Lord Jamal of Brand Nubian speaks on the origins of the culture and the influence of the movement. A definite archive in hip hop history. We close with a new feature one hip-hop veteran and my brother, Prince po 1/2 of Organized Konfusion with "Lacth key Chronicles":




THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

________________________________________________________

Post scripts:

One of my mentors in my early years that still works perfusely, and that aided me in the study of the african diaspora, Radio journalist/activist/ criminal lawyer Micheal Coard Esq. gives you the pan-african school of thought:

http://www.avengingtheancestors.com/

_________________________________________________________

A group/organization that also helped in formative years, Temple University's Pascep Program, the new generation.

http://www.temple.edu/pascep/

LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XIII: VANCOUVER LIGHTS

"ITS INHERITED IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY"-

WILLIAM MICHAEL GRIFFIN(RAKIM ALLAH)

Vancouver(/væn.ˈkuːvər/) is a coastal city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is named for British Captain George Vancouver, who explored the area in the 1790s. The name Vancouver itself originates from the Dutch "van Coevorden", denoting somebody from Coevorden, a city in the Netherlands

Monday travels up north to vancity; a unique city that holds its own identity who has treasured the influx of hip hop. Each diverse community in vancity tells its

own story,with hip hop being 100% condusive to the socialogical aspect; from graffiti to the music. As told by my brother and producer/DJ "Steps nessacery", vancity has its own testament. The word according to the foundations of hip hop:

- Common Cyhpa

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

MUSIC IS LIFE P.X :THE LADDER: CAPITALISM

"And my mentality is, money orientated im destined to live the dream for all my peeps who never made it this year"-



AZ




"In sociology and political philosophy, the most basic class distinction is between the powerful and the powerless.[1][2] Social classes with a great deal of power are usually viewed as "the elites" within their own societies. Various social and political theories propose that social classes with greater power attempt to cement their own ranking above the lower classes in the hierarchy to the detriment of the society overall. "-
Wikipedia


In the world and termanology of political science, capitalism symbolizes economic freedom, free proprietorship. According to the quote from wikipedia above, other forms of government, left wing views, political parties and the criticism of american history would state otherwise; from the higher economic class to the lower, some political theorists would say that the "richer get richer, and the poorer get poorer". A line quoted from the "teacha" himself KRSone from his project several years ago, "I got next" he follows with "visualize wealth, and put yourselves in the picture." One view most would co-sign that exceeds any economic class. In the stream of capitalism, due to basic economic principle, one would invest and re-invest; in a talent or gift, a buisness, or an ultimate vision. In relation to the age old principle, "seedtime and harvest".
Some of these views were reflected in reknowned black author Micheal eric dyson's 2007 series "Hip-Hop Vs. America".




-From small buisnesses to well established careers entrepenuarship is the main railroad in a country that functions on a system of capitalism. One thing remains relative is that from america's ghettos to the high lofts, most seek economic prosperity. We close with south brooklyn's independent minds; GGO/T.h.u.g. angels veteran Shabazz the disciple with an exclusive ode to hiphop, "heavenly bride".



THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP 2010.

THE LANGUAGE OF ONE P. VIII MINDS OF SENEGAL

"Experience is always the best teacher Look at the signs, feel the vibes, I'm tryin to reach ya"



KEITH "GURU" ELAM

1961-2010

"Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, is located at the westernmost tip of the country on the Cap-Vert peninsula. About 300 miles off the coast, in the Atlantic Ocean, lie the Cape Verde Islands. During colonial times, numerous trading Counters, belonging to various colonial empires were established along the coast. The town of St Louis became the capital of French Western Africa (Afrique Occidentale Francaise, or AOF) before it was moved to Dakar in 1902. Dakar later became its capital in 1960 at the time of independence from France"-

Wikipedia

June opens with insight to the east: the world according to senegal. The language of one series of the A.L.I.H.S.T blog brings the minds and culture of a people to the forefront; a brief look away from the states to feel global rythym. In this time its more than safe to say hip hop is empowerment. My personal interaction with the senegalese was a lasting impression; specifically in mediterreanean countries like italy, they are a minority, a subculture of ambition, arts, and extrodinary academics. Some of the most intelligent people of west africa. Monday allows them to tell their story to us, one of their greatest influences:

-We close with an interview with the student of truth(Talib Kweli) himself, also in tune with african culture. An exclusive interview from Norway radio with talks of the new reflection eternal project, and current movements.

Goodshit Radio: Talib Kweli interview

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP 2010

MUSIC IS LIFE P. VIII: POSTERITY

"Fatherhood is not a right, it’s a privilege.Your children are the best part of you.I send my love to this new generation of fathers who have learned from the sins of the past and take a very active role in the lives of our children.”




~ TALIB KWELI

"Posterity- Pronunciation: \pä-ˈster-ə-tē\
Etymology: Middle English posterite, from Anglo-French pusterité, from Latin posteritat-,All the future generations, especially the descendants of a specific person"

Erin Wright
Mosdef and kids







MAINO & SON ZANE



In relation to what kweli stated above, in our lifetime we witness generations come and go. Thursday highlight this generation, and the acknowledgement and foresight of its future posterities. More notably to stay conscious of what we leave behind for it. Below is an exclusive of Malcolm x grandson, and the photoshoot that aimed to capture his grandfather's legacy:

-In closing we feature jewels from nas and damian "jr gong" marley latest realease..distant relatives.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP 2010

THE URBAN PROMISE P.II: THE LEARNING TREE

"I had to learn the hard way some really important life lessons. There was really no one there to say, don't do this or don't do that.”-

Lauryn Hill








"On December 22, 2008, Forté walked out of Fort Dix Correctional Institution to resume his life and tell his story through music, film and prose. In addition to working on his album, Forté is a contributor to The Daily Beast and is working with at-risk youth through organizations such as “In Arms’ Reach,” a community-based arts, counseling and mentoring program for the children of incarcerated parents. " -
http://www.johnforte.com/



The above example is just one arm of thursday's feature; the plight of the next generation. The afrikan proverb "it takes a village to raise a child" is not only meditated on, but practiced through programs, the changes and reformation of school systems, and simple mentoring; even right here in our own backyard, america. In regards to the ills this generation is exposed to, and the hard numbers of statistics,many see the importance of giving the next generation a sense of direction; an alternative, to make a conscious decision as to what choices to make in this lifetime. Opposed to the negative footage we witness both in realtime and media to the tribulations of america's youth, positive outreach is still relevant. As illustrated in the composition between independent artists blitz the ambassador and industry veteran john forte:


"DYING TO LIVE"

In closing we feature independent artist, my family "Da gif" with a socially conscious take on the life and times of america's youth, along with a documentry on one institution that has been the catalyst for change, and one of the faces of reformation: youthbuild.





THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP




KEITH ELAM

July 17, 1962 – April 19, 2010

STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P.IIIV: MUSIC & JOURNALISM

-"The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988. The current president of the publication is Jeremy Miller. From humble beginnings, the Source had grown into one of the largest and most influential hip-hop publications in the United States[citation needed]. It had even grown to the point of being called "The Bible of Hip-Hop." [1]-wikipedia



"I think the key to great journalism, is being a great listener"-

Tavis Smiley

Music, and its personal voice to the masses..journalism. I started with the foundations of hip hop journalism in specifics, a publication pre-world wide web and its progressive movement: the source magazine. Journalism constantly bridges communication, though commercial media is relative to the masses, i salute journalism or journalists who come from key perspectives, whether grassroots, journalists centered in an african-american consciousness(tavis smiley, gil noble, tony brown) or music/hip hop journalists ie: harry allen, dream hampton or peter rosenberg. Journalism that comes from a personal view that relates to the people.
Peep some the profiles of some of names mentioned specifically in hip hop:


Harry Allen is a hip hop activist and journalist ("The Media Assassin") affiliated with the group Public Enemy, and is the director of the Rhythm Cultural Institute. He grew up in Freeport, Long Island.[1]
Harry Allen first met Carlton "Chuck D" Ridenhour in 1982, when the two took an animation class at Adelphi University in Garden City. Ridenhour, also a member of hip hop group Spectrum City, introduced Allen to a clique who congregated around university radio station WBAU/90.3 FM on Monday nights (although not all were students), and, in Allen's own words, "looked at hip-hop scientifically - as an analysis of its parts - and took it completely seriously, like I did." -wikipedia


In 1990, Dream hampton became the first woman editor of The
Source Magazine. Hampton penned essays on, among other
topics, misogyny, police brutality and Winnie
Mandela. She also profiled Snoop Doggy
Dogg, early in his career, as well as the
first Source cover story for megastar Tupac Shakur.
As a contributing writer at Vibe
Magazine since the magazine's launch in 1993, Hampton
wrote articles on Jay-Z, Mary J.
Blige and D'Angelo. Her writing has appeared in The Village
Voice, Spin, The Detroit News, Harper's Bazaar, Essence, Parenting
and other magazines. In addition, her essays and articles have appeared in
several anthologies, including Rock She Wrote, The Vibe History of Hip-Hop
and And It Don't Stop: The Best American Hip-Hop Journalism of the Last 25
Years. Hampton co-authored rapper Jay-Z's unreleased autobiography
The Black Book.[1] -wikipedia

-Along with an insightful view to the voice of journalism.. we close thursday with an xclusive interview from peter rosenberg with dj premier..and if u never caught it several months ago..a BET network cipher hosted by premier himself..power.. every one has a voice..let it be heard by who you are..and what you do. Peace.

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