LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XX : THE EXODUS

"If you stop struggling, then you stop life."-


HUEY P. NEWTON






CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico – The mother of four raised a finger, pointing out abandoned and stripped concrete homes and counting how many families on her street alone have fled the Western Hemisphere's deadliest city.
"One, two, three, four, here, and two more back there on the next block," said Laura Longoria.

"No one knows how many residents have left the city of 1.4 million since a turf battle over border drug corridors unleashed an unprecedented wave of cartel murders and mayhem. Business leaders, citing government tax information, say the exodus could number 110,000, while a municipal group and local university say it's closer to 230,000. Estimates by social organizations are even higher."-

Fox News

21st century Mexico. In research and interest, one word came to mind, borderline anarchy.

an·ar·chy 
–noun
1.
a state of society without government or law.
2.
political and social disorder due to the absence of governmental control: The death of the king was followed by a year of anarchy. -



Dictionary.com



Crossing over 2011, one situation kept my attention as it progressed since its turning point in 2007; The crackdown of mexican drug cartels. Generation after generation the drug market has been one of the profitable/destructive commodity's via the states and international waters. Obvious as this holds, though the drive of cartels thrive on currency, power, and fear to gain further influence and control, the greatest highlight of the war is the plight of the innocents:

"Now the drug war has caused thousands to flee. The stepped-up patrols came after the city's once-thriving commercial strips had been reduced to rows of decrepit, boarded-up buildings. Even with new medical facilities, doctors have closed private practices and staged walkouts to protest kidnappings."-



Californian.com


-The first movement of fleeing residents hail from Ciudad juarez. The preservation of innocent lives, poor to rich, increasingly becomes the theme of the hour. Though never published through mass media institutions, its safe to say mexico is in a state of emergency. The history of mexico..the overall dispersal via its homeland and the states is rich, a unique prescence in the indigenous cultures of latin america. The drug sub-culture, its nature is plainly ruthless. Below is recent CBS report on the clash of power and turmoil, down to why the cartels stay in active buisness.

"MANY MORE WILL HAVE TO SUFFER, MANY MORE WILL HAVE TO DIE"-

The Hon. Robert Nesta Marley(Natural mystic)

By reports numbers of those killed among rival cartels, fallen police have climbed; even the Proverbial blood of the innocent cries out. By seeing the state and movement of Ciudad Juarez in recent days, it foretold a possible increase in mexican refugees, finding their way via other communities and cities; to escape a a constant state of fear of violence that shakes the foundation of the government. The state of the cartels progress with updates, from recent truces among cartels to moving their shops and influence into central american countries. They are left primarly by choice to their ultimate destinies, and possibly the fate of an ongoing conflict, fueled by power and greed. Either way, in the western hemisphere this is one country in crisis. 2011 is another window of time to see resolves to an ugly conflict.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2011

STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P.XX: AMERICAN ECONOMY

"Poverty is the worst form of violence.”


Mahatma Gandhi

"If you look at the year in economic statistics, you could tell two different stories of two different Americas. The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a two-year high this week: retail sales, industrial production, factory orders, all are up. And the biggest corporations are posting healthy profits. And yet, hidden among all these trends is one that was released this past week by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
In 2010, cities across America saw a 9 percent increase in the number of families seeking emergency shelter. One out of 200 people in America slept in a homeless shelter this past year. The homeless crisis now affects more families, people who just a year or two ago had jobs, apartments, relatively stable lives that affects more families in that any other time in recent history. '-

Food. Clothing. Shelter. One night listening to BBC radio in my home, they addressed a story that slowly grabbed my attention. The reality of a homeless family, a single father raising his nine year old daughter. He explained the trial of losing his home, sleeping many nights in a car and struggling to send his daughter to school everyday, to finally finding a home just before its foreclosure. Recently passing through the holiday season, i thought of the burden, the struggle and his age(only 28). And the relevance to how homelessness touches all walks of life.


"Im, on top of the world blue diamond or black pearl"-

DA GIF(Nyc based independent recording artist)

-Ive seen some of my peers witnessed the pains of economic struggle, from finding a place to rest their head to dealings with social services. Post 21st century the Obama administration progressively seeks to repair a damaged economy. Homelessness is relative to all brackets of class system; hunger pains as told and experienced by some leading figures:

"Born Lawrence Parker in Park Slope, Brooklyn in the fall of 1965, the MC left home at 14 to become an MC and Philosopher. He came to live in a homeless shelter in the South Bronx, where he was dubbed Krishna by residents because of his interest in the Hare Krishna

spirituality of some of the antipoverty workers."-

Wikipedia

The many examples of the struggle of american economy:

"I CONTEMPLATE BELIEVING IN KARMA, THOSE ON TOP CAN JUST BREAK, AND WONT BE EATIN' TOMMORROW"-Nas

"I have to be here with my daughter and grandson. I mean, not being able to have our own house and - because I know I'm better - well, not better than that, but I mean, I know I can do it. It's just - the work is just hard after hard. You know, you go to an (unintelligible), there's 15 people there. And (unintelligible) always is to having my own place and being able to provide for my family, which I can't right now. "-

Jamie stewart(temporary shelter resident)

-One of many realities. Closing 2010, the A.L.I.H.S.T series(blog) has bore as a reflection of our own societies, troubles to triumphs. This brief look at homelessness is one of many social issues. As we enter 2011 my hopes is that we continue to look at ourselves head on, and move progressively into the coming generations. Peace.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

MUSIC IS LIFE P.XX :THE PENDANT P.III

"Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real."-

Tupac Shakur

1971-1996

"Black males continue to perform lower than their peers throughout the country on almost every indicator," the Washington-based Council of the Great City Schools, which represents the nation's 66 largest urban public school systems, said in a recent report.
While much of the news coverage of the council's gut-wrenching report has focused on the failure of nearly all fourth- and eighth-grade black males to read and do math at proficiency levels, less attention has been paid to its conclusion that educational improvements alone won't fix this problem. What's needed, the council said, is a "concerted national effort to improve the education, social and employment outcomes of African-American males." -

Dwayne Wickham

The plight of urban academia. The statistics/estimates of "the minortity report" and the ladder of american class system usually cut close. But the above article refrenced in usa today focuses in the education of the black male.

"If you think that's just a warmed-over pitch for more funding of a liberal agenda, you're being shortsighted. In 13 years, minorities will be a majority of this nation's children younger than 18. In just 29 years, most working-age Americans will be black, Hispanic, Asian or Native American. This nation will be hard-pressed to remain the world's leading economy if a sizeable — and growing — share of its potential workforce is slipping through the gaping holes in our education system."

-In a truthful account the passage of the black male in the american in the american urban public school holds a testament by itself. The african dispersal in general holds its own rich history in america; more exceptionally the black male in the inner city faces the rites of passage of peer preasure; to overcoming the hurdles of the social ills of the environment. The unfortunate facts of this article of black males and education should encourage them and the youth to equipt themselves for todays world: in and out the classroom. As stated in one A.L.I.H.S.T blog, academic education to a degree is still the "pendant", due to a ever changing world, economy and educational system. We close this brief analysys and insight with one lament of people of color, a throwback from industry veterans D-Block's Styles P and Black Thought.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

MUSIC IS LIFE PXVIII : THE GRASSROOTS VIEW

"THE MISSION"-

STEPHEN ROBERT NESTA MARLEY





"A grassroots movement (often referenced in the context of a political movement) is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures. Grassroots movements are often at the local level, as many volunteers in the community give their time to support the local party, which can lead to helping the national party. For instance, a grassroots movement can lead to significant voter registration for a political party, which in turn helps the state and national parties. "-

wikipedia




"Movement for Justice in El Barrio was founded by immigrants and low-income people living in East Harlem, New York City. It is part of the fight against the effects of neoliberalism and discrimination in all of its forms and operates on a commitment to the ideals of self-determination, autonomy and participatory democracy."-

Wikipedia


The above examples are two grassroots initiatives, one from the late 60's and within the last 10 years. The grassroots perspective is one of radical social change, most of the time in relation to politics; also in any industry, through clothing, film (indie) and within these times exceptionally music. Clothing line's like my brother Neguswear(Johwell baptiste), advocate social change, self-actualization and empowerment, as told by the CEO himself:




-The grassroots is politically left-wing(republic,democratic) in nature. Notably this theme is taking root and expanding in america and abroad for people to voice their views on the progress of politics, issues, and media. Artists/musicians play a major part in the grassroots movement. One collective as filmed by the Negus camp for peace day 9/21/10. We also close with a feature track from M1 of dead prez, feat Stormi james and canada's leading artists K'naan.





THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

MUSIC IS LIFE P.XV: THE BREADBASKET

"OPEN UP YOUR EYES...DISCIPLINE THEMSELVES YOURSELVES TO STAY ALIVE"-

KRSONE

"Popular culture (commonly known as pop culture) is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes,[1] images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the late 20th and early 21st century. Heavily influenced by mass media, this collection of ideas permeates the everyday lives of the society. By contrast, folklore refers to the cultural mainstream of more local or pre-industrial societies."-

Wikipedia

"The Breadbasket of pop-culture": is a coined term i gave america, due to even my years seeing the global influence america has on the nations. From todays giants/sensations as lady Gaga, the multi-genre's of rock music, to the years span of the progressive movement of hip hop/rap; down to our manifold cultures, the nations have feasted from the united states culturally. Reckonized and criticzed, are some of the negative themes addressed in today's pop culture, and there effect on societies. I advocate especially in music more artists to be conscious of the their messages; and their global influence. This train of thought is shared and reflected by the likes of prophetic voices as lauryn hill:

"Of the world, spun by evil men with lies
only programmed to agree with what we see before our eyes"-

LAURYN NOEL HILL(The world is a Hustle)

-Art imitates life to umpteenth degree; to address the realities and issues we face as a whole is imperative, and entertainment has its place. Yet in the influx of messages, fads, images and propaganda, especially in relation to a code of ethics, it is also imperative for one to think for his/herself. An artist/contemporarie of mine stated to me that "The industry is ran by corruption(paraphrased). There are grassroots movements and independent labels to aid in its revolutionizing." Or due to the masses and capitalism of pop-culture, create a strong balance. Thee Urbanpriesthood Group LLC is one grassroots movement as many others. One example/view bears in the alternative voice of Dante Smith(Mos Def). We close this brief reflection of pop culture with a feature from his new project with Ski-Beatz(Jay Z's "Dead Presidents"):




THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

MUSIC IS LIFE P. XIV: PHARMEKIA CULTURE

"THINGS FALL APART" -


TARIQ TROTTER(BLACK THOUGHT)



"In the early 1980s, the majority of cocaine being shipped to the United States, landing in Miami, was coming through the Bahamas and Dominican Republic.[1] Soon there was a huge glut of cocaine powder in these islands, which caused the price to drop by as much as 80 percent.[1] Faced with dropping prices for their illegal product, drug dealers made a decision to convert the powder to "crack," a solid smokeable form of cocaine, that could be sold in smaller quantities, to more people. It was cheap, simple to produce, ready to use, and highly profitable for dealers to develop.[1] As early as 1980, reports of crack were appearing in Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Houston, and in the Caribbean."-



Wikipedia

In ancient text there is a reference to an age or dispensation of history: the "Age of Pharmekia(Greek)". Between the stone walls of american history, from opium to meth, street drugs is clearly the greatest commodity next to industry and natural resources. From mass political distribution, to the social unrest and monopoly of ghetto street corners; street drugs issue a fleeting high, or the devastation of a community for blood money. The culture of pharmekia is one major stream in a an capitalist/corporatist society, and globally:

"Beginning with the Iran-Contra Affair, some politicians and journalists began arguing that the CIA contributed to the rise of the epidemic. Allegations ranged from the presence of drug ties to the Contra rebels, to possible direct involvement in drug trafficking by the Contras and even members of the CIA. The exact degree of awareness and involvement on the part of the CIA itself continues to be disputed. However, on April 17, 1986, the Reagan Administration released a three page report acknowledging that there were some Contra-cocaine connections in 1984 and 1985, arguing that these connections occurred at a time when the rebels were "particularly hard pressed for financial support" because U.S. aid had been cut off."-



Wikipedia







-"The love of money..is the roots of all evil", the culture of pharmekia is hand and hand with this ahporism. One example of what proves this is the current crisis of mexico; one society in an upheavel resorting to merciless acts to rivals, and the innocent in the conflicts of its leading drug cartels. Street Drugs is an international major commodity in every country..with the united states being one of the world's main purchasers. We conclude with Immortal technique telling the story through a image laced song.."Peruvian Cocaine".




THEE URBANPREISTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010.

THE ARCHIVE P. VII : BLACK HISTORY: WATTSTAX

"EVERYTHING REMAINS THE SAME" -


OTIS RAY REDDING JR.

"The concert was held at the Los Angeles Coliseum on August 20, 1972, and organized by Memphis's Stax Records to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Watts riots. Wattstax was seen by some as "the Afro-American answer to Woodstock". To enable as many members of the black community in L.A. to attend as possible, tickets were sold for only $1.00 each. The Reverend Jesse Jackson gave the invocation, which included his "I Am - Somebody" poem, which was recited in a call and response with the assembled stadium crowd. In the film, interspersed between songs are interviews with Richard Pryor, Ted Lange
and others who discuss the black experience in America"-

Wikipedia

http://www.wattstax.com/

"
Black Power"- a term coined by the late pan african socialist/activist kwame ture(stokley carmicheal) in the 60's serving as prime minister of the black panther socialst party. In the african diaspora, the time between the late 19th century and the mid 2oth held progressive movements to empower blacks and people of color; from the scars and generational effects of the atlantic slave trade, and the oppression of institutionalized slavery. It resonated between movements and global influence of leaders as marcus garvey(pan africanism), to the highlights of the civil rights movement(king, Black theology, N.O.I, black nationalism). The early seventies carried the torch with progressive pride in black culture..heavily infuential in entertainment and the arts. With stax being a major record label in this time, the sound of soul reflected all points of the african diaspora in america, from ghetto, to politics. The archive reflects on "Wattstax".."the black woodstock":

- STAPLE SINGERS

-"Wattstax" came to my attention about 5 years ago, in its airing through a public television documentry. Though pop culture in 2010 has a new face, this landmark is still relevant, as relevant as the importance of social consciousness, as relevant as preservation of any culture and diaspora:

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010.

STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P. XII: MEMORIAL DAY

"This aint livin'...no.. no no no"-

Marvin Pentz Gaye



"The Sean Bell shooting incident took place in the New York City borough of Queens on November 25, 2006, in which 3 men were shot a total of fifty times by a team of both plainclothes and undercover NYPD officers, killing one of the men, Sean Bell, on the morning after his bachelor party, and severely wounding two of his friends.[1] The incident sparked fierce criticism of the police from some members of the public and drew comparisons to the 1999 killing of Amadou Diallo.[2] Three of the five detectives involved in the shooting went to trial[3] on charges ranging from manslaughter to reckless endangerment, and were found not guilty."-

Wikipedia

Bell family, friends share $7M-

BY TONIA N. CIMINO
Monday, August 2, 2010 6:30 PM EDT
It’s been nearly four years since Sean Bell was killed in a hail of 50 police bullets – and his two friends injured – and now a settlement has awarded his estate $3.25 million.On Tuesday, July 27, a judge in Brooklyn Federal Court also gave $3 million to Joseph Guzman, struck 11 times; and $900,000 to Trent Benefield, who was shot three times in the legs and buttock that fateful night in November 2006."-

http://www.queenscourier.com/


"Retrospect for life"- a song title coined by artist common in 1997 bears the theme of thursday's spot. The sean bell case is nationally known, exceptionally in new york city. The above excerpt from a queens new york publication gives the recent updates to the case, now several years later. Though issues of racial profiling and police brutality are not new to america, one highlight of sean bell's case is that the tragedy brought the community together in the wake of the outrage of the verdict. Years later, even with national cases like sean bell raging in the modern day, in retrospect we see some of the harvest it brought:

Styles P(D block) views:

THE YOUTH:

-We close with a stream of streets consciousness; a gem from reflection eternal's "Revolutions per minute"

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

____________________________________________________

POST SCRIPTS:

"IJSN is a growing international network of Jews whose Jewish identities are not based on Zionism but on a plurality of histories and experiences. We share a commitment to participation in the legacy of struggles against colonization and imperialism. As such, we struggle against Zionism and its manifestation in the State of Israel’s historic and ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people and the confiscation of their land. "

-The persecution of palestinians by the zionist movement is an injustice witnessed globally.. Hit

http://www.ijsn.net/ FOR MORE INFO-

ZIONLIBERATION NETWORK(IJSN.NET)

STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P. XII: THE COMMUNITY FORUM

“Some kind of way, we have to say enough is enough.”-




Richard Claxton "Dick" Gregory




The mindset of social activism challenges the ills of a society, starting with the community. July opens with the principles, and themes of social activism; specifically in the movements of accomplished public figures who sow their gifts and talents back into the betterment of communities, whether financially, musically, or through means of education:


"The Common Ground Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States.
The Common Ground Foundation was created by Hip Hop artist, actor and children’s author Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known as “Common”. Common’s social-conscience message serves as inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The Foundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams."-


http://www.commongroundfoundation.org/


-One Example, Followed by Ilana weaver(Invincible), who was recently featured on the politically conscious show "Democracy Now", who explains her movements in detroit's inner city's:



-We close with Brooklyn artist Blitz the Ambassdor's latest effort featuring an innovative music ensemble: "Remembering the future"

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

Post Scripts: New single by Zion Antoni realeased 7/5/10: "Fatimah" and Ani(beautifull). Two jewels from his upcoming project.

LANGUAGE OF ONE P. X: RASTAFARI: THE GLOBAL FRONT

"NO MAN IS AN ISLAND"-




DENNIS EMMANUEL BROWN

"The Rastafari movement is a monotheistic, Abrahamic, new religious movement that arose in a Christian culture in Jamaica in the 1930s.[1][2] Its adherents, who worship Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, former Emperor of Ethiopia (1930–1936 and 1941–1974), as the Second Advent, are known as Rastafarians, or Rastas. The movement is sometimes referred to as "Rastafarianism", but this term is considered derogatory and offensive by some Rastas, who dislike being labelled as an "ism".[3]

"The name Rastafari is taken from Ras Tafari, the pre-regnal title of Haile Selassie I, composed of Amharic Ras (literally "Head," an Ethiopian title equivalent to Duke), and Haile Selassie's pre-regnal given name, Tafari. Rastafari are generally distinguished for asserting the doctrine that Haile Selassie I, the former, and final, Emperor of Ethiopia, is another incarnation of the Christian God, called Jah.[5] They see Haile Selassie I as Jah or Jah Rastafari, who is the second coming of Jesus Christ onto the Earth" -

Wikipedia

The vibration of the rastafari movement is globally known. Thursday gives a brief insight beyond the common themes of cannabis, and universal rythyms of reggae (regal music); The honorable Robert Nesta Marley O.M communicated unity, love and peace in prophetic resonance. As an international third world artist, in his own lifetime he was involved in the religious, but mystic practice and idealogies of the rastafari movement. In my early years of study, i found most of the masses had little knowledge of the deep origins of ras tafari mokennen, the religious aspect (mansions of rastafari, boboshanti, nyabinghi and twelve tribes) and the movement of rastafari, aside from what's communicated through the culture:

-A culture globally known and celebrated, is also considered a language of one. We close june with a exclusive interview of lauryn hill through NPR.org's Zoe Chase, on the lauryn hill past, present and the future moves of the modern day's leading voices.

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.