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.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

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

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

STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P.XV: HOUSING AUTHORITIES

'THE SOULS OF BLACK FOLK"-







W.E.B DUBOIS

"Public housing is a form of housing tenure in which the property is owned by a government authority, which may be central or local. Social housing is an umbrella term referring to rental housing which may be owned and managed by the state, by non-profit organizations, or by a combination of the two, usually with the aim of providing affordable housing.
Although the common goal of public housing is to provide affordable housing, the details, terminology, definitions of poverty and other criteria for allocation vary."-

Wikipedia

The group "war" coined a song in the 70's: the world is a ghetto. The housing project is international, from america to asia, but most are relative to poverty. Government owned, the culture of the housing project is usually condusive to crime and poverty. In the united states life in the projects is generational, especially since the mid 20th century. One example of many is one located in chicago:


-9x's out of 10 poverty= social unrest and crime. Currency is part of any livelihood, a great necessity; but among the poor/low income, in a ghetto setting for simple means of survival, most are plauged with the love of money. One respected artist from Stapleton housing in Staten Island, Trife da God explains his worldview; the world in the hands of corrupted politicians.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P.XIV: URBAN ACADEMIA

"We give you the facts, I told you information is power -- knowledge is power.”-



Tavis Smiley


"Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money (and like other schools, may also receive private donations) but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter.[1] Charter schools are opened and attended by choice.[2] While charter schools provide an alternative to other public schools, they are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition. Where enrollment in a charter school is over subscribed, admission is frequently allocated by lottery-based admissions. "-


WIKIPEDIA


"Yo.. Camden high is like a penitentary" A young man from west Camden NJ vented to me in explaining the reasons why he left to finish school in a co-operative credit program. In observation all schools are condusive for learning, climbing the stages of academics; but in most schools in the inner cities the socialogical aspect stands out, at times greater than the central focus of the cirriculum. The above reference, this sentiment and more i seen expressed by many during the years of the public school system, from my own reflections to the masses of struggling youth. Among the urban diaspora i witnessed in philadelphia, during the years of intense social climate the alternative spread amongst the city: the charter school. Still at the ledge of controversy from public schools, the charter school, though state owned seemed to create an environment of social reform; first targeting the social ills of the school system:



-One thing i acknowledge, is in every generation the youth need guidance, not only academically but in every form to help them navigate socialogically. Due to social preassures excelling in academics sometimes is an against the grain process. I advocate education outside of systematic academics, for the greater arm against today's world. We close with a source of inspiration, one man that stays progressive with a personal outlook from the musicians institute. In rain or shine, the principle of hard work in action.



THEE URBANPRIESHOOD GROUP LLC 2010

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