A LESSON IN HUMILITY, SURVIVAL AND TRUTH BLOGSPOT
Showing posts with label GREG YANCE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GREG YANCE. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
MUSIC IS LIFE P.XXII: THE BREADBASKET II
"An American Dream" -
Norman Mailer
(Late American Author)
The term "popular culture" itself is of 19th century coinage, in original usage referring to the education and "culturedness" of the lower classes, as was delivered in an address at the Birmingham Town Hall, England.[1] The term began to assume the meaning of a culture of the lower classes separate from and opposed to "true education" towards the end of the century,[2] a usage that became established by the interbellum period.[3] The current meaning of the term, culture for mass consumption, especially originating in the United States, is established by the end of World War II.[4] The abbreviated form "pop culture" dates to the 1960s-
Wikipedia
2011.I easily thought to use the late norman mailer as a feature to today's A.L.I.H.S.T blog, as in his lifetime a s a writer/author he inked some of the greatest insights to pop culture during the late 20th and 21st cenuries. Post 21st century, pop culture is a breathing mass of film, entertainment, musical cult followings, political iconizations and agenda's; that influences the entire globe. As a sequel to the first, the breadbasket II looks briefly at american pop culture and its many relationships; another one being with faith and politics.
"F&R incorporates my original Idea Club blog (a weekly question on an issue in the news) and allows me to jump quickly on ideas and news in the public conversation about religion, spirituality and ethics"-
Cathy lynn Grossman (USA TODAY Faith and religion column)
- An active blog on the staff of the publication USA Today, its clear to see how the voice of movements, both political and faith-based from conservative christainity to the controversies of Islamic agenda is well into the fabric of pop culture.
"I don't want to sound presumptuous, but I've made it my goal to revolutionise pop music. The last revolution was launched by Madonna 25 years ago.
When you’re in the public eye, you’re a role model whether you want to be or not, and I want to be. I’m not one of those self-obsessed artists who don’t care about their fans. It’s not just about the music. I look out into the O2 and there are 18,000 screaming young people and I have a responsibility to them — and you’re an idiot if you don’t know that." -
Lady Gaga
April 12, 2010.
-Along with figures as Kanye west, Artist lady gaga's voice is influential in the entertainment aspect of pop culture. Above she stated her role of responsibility. Music has power over generations. For example the messages inflected in Hip Hop music is manifold. In all facets of pop culture, what is understood as negative messages usaully serve as exploitations of the consumers for the capitalism for the elite in these industries. One brief documentry shows the balance of faith, politics and pop culture:
-In conclusion one easily rule out that faith-based fundamentals or ethical standards challenge the influence of pop culture (as the view of conservative groups) or in some cases it balances it. American pop culture, from then till now, will generally have influence. Media is its main conduit, in its grand scheme, from fads, televison to issues of demoralization, its up to the person, or persons to be the judge how much influence it will have.
THE URBAN CRY LLC 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
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
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XXI: CITY OF GOD P.1
"MANY RIVERS TO CROSS"-
THE HON. JIMMY CLIFF OM
"Favelas are complex and vibrant communities. To illustrate, Rio's legendary samba schools were almost all born and raised in favelas. The problems are equally very complex. Most favelas have some drug lord that runs a boca de fumo where they openly sell drugs. When they battle for territory stray bullets always make victims. The police is also sometimes part of the problem, and reports of brutality are not uncommon."-
impanema.com
Brazil: Portuguese: Brasil, IPA: [bɾaˈziw]), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil. A country in the contintent of south america a world apart from the states; but a high percentage share the same cup of poverty as those who do in the global community.
Ricardo (not his real name) lives in Rocinha, one of the biggest favelas in Rio de Janeiro, situated near the well-know tourist area of Copacabana.
We're all hostages of violence and the criminals who rule the favelas.
"Violence is a topic of conversation everywhere, in bars and on the streets. It's impossible not to talk about it or fear it.
-A term i like to use: "The culture of poverty". According to a recent 2007 article, and recent reports the share of the corruption doesnt only belong to the drug lords, but to law enforcement.
We see the news of violence in the Alemao favela and it makes people angry, because we know many of the people who die in the conflicts are reported as being criminals, but we know they are not. "
For decades Rio de Janeiro's favelas, or slums, have been lawless enclaves controlled by gangsters and corrupt police. In recent years, however, the government has begun implementing an innovative community-policing strategy to assert the state's power over them. -
Economist.com
-The culture of Rio's slums reflects the same of the poor, or slums in countries like Bolivia, Colombia, Africa, and worldwide. Some of the above examples are obvious casualties of war. In my studies of slums as San Paulo, and most slums, it struck me to understand that it is a crime to be poor; and birth's or death's arent recorded there. Part of the relief is many grassroots organizations in america that help many people in the favela's, and supply everything from food, clothing medicare and education to the children. One element thats is just as imperative to implement: culture, and the power of music.
In a world of hills and valley's of social ills and tragedy, hope streams in many forms. The face of the favela's reflect the struggle of many, a plight of survival to many degrees from within its inhabitants, a learning experience and eye opener to the rest of the world. In all regards, the face of a generation struggling for better resolve in any troubled community.
THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
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
Saturday, December 18, 2010
STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P. XVIII:CONCRETE JUNGLE
"NO SUN WILL SHINE..IN MY DAY TO DAY, THE HIGH YELLOW MOON, WONT COME OUT TO PLAY"
THE HON. ROBERT NESTA MARLEY
cul·ture- The quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.
5. the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group: the youth culture; the drug culture.
6. Anthropology . the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.
Dictionary.com
As webster defines above, a culture is simply a way of life, stemming directly from a community or society. By experience and observation,naturally, there is a different mindset, spirit and culture to every state, and sub communites, 100% relevant to every bracket of class system, from upper to lower. Take a second look at the culture of south jersey. The A.L.I.H.S.T series revisits Camden NJ. In the series "Urban promise" it sought to tell the story of camden.(coined as the "black hole"(due to the influx of drugs and violence). and the redemptive voices/activism to challenge it.
Wikipedia
-By observation, conditioned poverty equals crime and social unrest. The statistics documented above are recent. But by sources and the city's failing economy i understood the city is in the process of laying off industrial workers to law enforcement; illustrating the breakdown of the city's governing bodies.
-Thursday's blog feature is not purposed to paint the bleakest picture of an american city, but to bring attention to the state of the district, and greater concern for the culture of the youth. Majority are exposed to the same social ills, dominated by gang prescence with little to no way out to a greater livelihood. We close this pre holiday feature a knowledgeble song from immortal technique, about an ongoing war, from within the states and abroad.
THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XIX : SONGS OF PALESTINE P.II
"THIS AIN'T THE LIFE THAT I
CHOSE BUT IM TRYIN TO FINISH"-
John forte
"Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition calls on all its members,supporters and people of conscience to demand that the US administration direct the state of Israel to stop the targeted arrests and immediately release all Palestinian children detained in its prisons and detention centers. The US is bound by its laws and international conventions to cut off all aid to Israel until it ends the institutionalized and systematic abuse of Palestinian children and all of its violations of Palestinian human rights and basic freedoms in a verifiable manner."
Above is an exerpt of a petition letter written by a palestinian activist on behalf of Isreali military abuse. Langauge of one revisits "songs of palestine"; the extension of the historic Palestinian/Isreali conflict, the systematic oppression/exploits of the palestinian territory.
"Minors, defined as anyone under 18, should be questioned by specially trained officers and only during daylight hours. The children must be able to consult with a lawyer and a parent should be present." Ronit Sela, a spokeswoman for the Association of Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), said her organisation had been "shocked" at the large number of children arrested in East Jerusalem in recent months, often by units of undercover policemen."-
Journalist John Cook
http://www.jkcook.net/
-Disturbing as the situation is this is one facet of the political and military oppression in the palestinian territory by the Isreali-Zionist regime. The conflict generally stems from a deep ethnic struggle of race, religion and land. Some of the atrocities committed by Isreal bear as a form of fear tactics to the palestinian community.
"Race Matters"-Cornel West
-One of the factors to fuel my activism in palestinian solidarity via music, information and publishing is seeing the reflection of systematic oppression globally; from the history of apartheid in Cape Town South Africa, to the civil rights struggle, and people of color in america, even post 21st century. The same fuel and views shared in organizations as SNCC:
"The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee's (SNCC) newsletter wrote an article criticizing Israel, and asserting that the war was an effort to regain Palestinian land and that during the 1948 war, "Zionists conquered the Arab homes and land through terror, force, and massacres". This article led to conflict between Jews and the SNCC, but black SNCC leaders treated the war as a "test of their willingness to demonstrate SNCC's break from its civil rights past".-
Wikipedia
- Here in the west its easy to see the conflict in the east/Gaza strip is pretty deep seated. Recent efforts from the Obama administration and Hillary Clinton tried to bridge the gap with peace talks, only to struggle with unstable results. The struggle of the palestinian territory is reckonized by leading progressive artists as M1 from dead prez, and today's feature, a lyricist with a strong underground prescence Narcycist with "Hamdililah" an underground single with cameo's from Jay electronica, and Tragedy Khadafi; a song relative to all people, spoken through an Arabic tongue.
THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
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
Saturday, October 30, 2010
STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P.XVII: REDEMPTION SONG
"IM DOING THE KNOWLEDGE, ITS NOT EASY" -
Queen Latifah(Dana Owens)
In my belief there are significant leaders assigned to every generation; to implement social change or to lead simply by example. In the urban plight there are roses in concrete; diamonds in the rough that overcome adverse circumstance to help others travailing in the same situations.
Unsung Hero -a person who makes a substantive yet unrecognized contribution; a person whose bravery is unknown or unacknowledged -
dictionary.com
- In the heart of the west coast is a story of the historic gang rivalry that raged since the mid-twentieth century. From street allegiances to knowledge of self to redeeming her livelihood: the story of stephanie lang.
"The corner where struggle & greed fightWe write songs about wrong cause it's hard to see rightLook to the sky hoping it will bleed lightReality's and I heard that she bites The corner"-
Common
-Redemption song is the illustration of bringing a redemptive quality back to a lost situation, a revolutionizing of the norm. The life of stephanie lang gave the clearest picture; in an old aphorism, it starts with one.
THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
MUSIC IS LIFE P.XIX :POLITICAL GRAFFITI
"I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves".
- Ernesto Che Guevara
From the BP oil spill, to every political agenda pre and post 21st century, in america the one element that remains is the voice of a people(freedom of speech). American politics is at times the drive, the progression and the butt of mainstream media and entertainment. From the atrocities of 9/11, conspiracy theories, and international propaganda, the high's and lows of every presidential administration effect every class and nationality in america. In one A.L.I.H.S.T blog, the term "The Breadbasket", references america being the breadbasket of pop culture to the world. Music is life, the exclusive series "Russia Today" recently spoke with one leading artist concerning the most significant era's post 21st century- "The Obama Age":
“In America, with all of its evils and faults, you can still reach through the forest and see the sun. But we don't know yet whether that sun is rising or setting for our country.”
- DICK GREGORY
-The many faces of the element of freedom of speech. One reflection of the times is the movements of the legendary collective "The Roots" in collaboration with singer /songwriter John Legend. "Hard Times is one element of their progressive project based on social consciousness.
THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
THE ARCHIVE P.VIII : SOUL: THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
"OBSERVATION..ITS ALL OBSERVATION"-
SAMUEL COOKE
1931-1964
"The gospel revival and doo-wop merged into the great season of soul music. Soul music was enabled by the commercial boom of "race" music, that had led to the creation of channels and infrastructures run by black enterpreneurs for black artists. This class of black enterpreneurs hired and trained a generation of session musicians, producers and arrangers (not to mention songwriters) who were specifically meant to serve the needs of black music. Sould music was also enabled by an unstoppable trend towards black and white integration, as more and more white folks accepted the idea that black culture was not evil or degrading, simply different (African instead of European). The sociopolitical inroads made by jazz also helped legitimize black pop music with the white masses. "-
scaruffi.com
Though its roots were gospel soul music has transcended genre, space and time. Thursday 's archive covers soul music and its weight through time, experience, socialogical issues. From pioneers to innovators, Most stem from humble roots, to go on to make a legendary stamp:
“Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I'm happy with that.”-
Aretha Franklin
-One example is the late Sam cooke, deemed the "father of soul", one aspect the not only gave to the origins of soul music but was active durng the time of the civil rights movement. As featured in the BBC series "Deep soul", Part six tells of one song that reverberates till now, and the origins, including his demise and influence:
- Second is sam's protege, Otis redding, one innovator among the likes of the late James Brown, and Bobby Womack, another giant in the forming of soul musician the late 60's when pop became more progressive, and racial barriers were crossed:
"Rolling Stone ranked Charles number 10 on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2004,[7] and number two on their November 2008 list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".[8] In honoring Charles, Billy Joel noted: "This may sound like sacrilege, but I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley. I don't know if Ray was the architect of rock & roll, but he was certainly the first guy to do a lot of things . . . Who the hell ever put so many styles together and made it work?"-
Wikipedia
-Post ray's death the movie "Ray" depicted the trials and tribulations of ray's life behind the fame and the music. Soul is is music of life, that tells everything from the african american experience and other nationalities. Every generation a new set of muscial talent arises and tells the same story. We close with a throwback of when these giants shone the brightest, at a time of political and social unrest. A 30 something Ray charles with an american traditional:
Sunday, September 26, 2010
LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XVI :21ST CENTURY CHRISTENDOM
"One girl and one crib, One God to show me how to do things his son did"-
Nasir bin olu dara jones
"Christianity began as a Jewish sect[9][10] and is classified as an Abrahamic religion.[11][12][13] Originating in the eastern Mediterranean, it quickly grew in size and influence over a few decades, and by the 4th century had become the dominant religion within the Roman Empire."-
Wikipedia
The world of christendom today is a large reflection of its deep historical roots. From the early centuries to now its no stranger to triumph, extrodinary disperal, controversy, scandal and criticism. Through dispensations the "Gospel" of Jesus the Christ(messiah) along with the Torah(Law and the prophets) and other books canonized by the Roman catholic church have been re-written and translated; and the source of protestant movements and congregations, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Seven day-adventist and an endless list of denominations. Still 1/3 of the world's greatest religions:
"With an estimated number of adherents that ranges approximately around 2.2 billion, split into 3 main branches of Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox, Christianity is the world's largest religion.[148] The Christian share of the world's population has stood at around 33 per cent for the last hundred years, which says that one in three persons on earth are Christians"-
Wikipedia
-The faith of many, even the base of political agenda's, modern christainity has definetly been on the forefront of controversy. One example, the extension of protestant movement, the Megachurch:
-"Religion is the opium for the masses of the people" -Karl Marx
Sociologist/Philosopher Karl marx stated this probally seeing society's hunger, movement and history, of religion's, and also the corruption. Religions are spiritual in goal,(faiths/belief system) but at times delegated and manipulated by the corrupted ways of man. Christainity is highly Criticized for hypocrisy, scandal(catholic church), avarice, (Prosperity Gospel,megachurch); an example is the current headlines of Bishop Eddie Long:
'Four young men have accused Long, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, of sexual coercion. He has denied the men's allegations through a spokesman and has told his congregation he plans to "vigorously" fight the charges"-
AJC.COM
-To the ruling whether Bishop Long committed these foul acts or not, is a matter known between God, the accusing party and bishop Long for now, as its under investigation. Acts in the name of religion has been the cause of the world's greatest structures, and the world's greatest atrocities. Language of One also covers Religion and the culture/ideals of global movements. As thursday's blog being my faith, my views(shared by many) personally don't co-sign a religious/self -rightous nature; but rather simple faith, principle, and a growing awareness to the world around you. To have faith, but as life shapes you, to develop your own worldview. As expressed by Tariq Trotter(Black Thought) of The Roots in "Dear God" Ft. Monsters of folk off their new LP "How I Got Over":
THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010
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