I started this piece thinking about my youth. Wrapped in nostalgia in the effort of some deeper meaning I missed the truth. See my happiest moments almost always involve my Earth, my kids, or my brothers. My youth is up there, but with in the frame of moments I chose and cherish most those three always bubble to the top. Therefore for this topic I am going to dip into the history of rolling squad deep with my brothers across the land in service to our culture. When I was in my twenties and young in my knowledge, my brothers and I set off to build up the capacity of our culture by traveling to see as much as we could. We took what we called power trips. Now this is not the negative behavior of a narcissist, using what ever influence they have to extract gold from others. No, this is the activation of the resources that you have to build bonds, trust and community. What makes it a power trip? Good question. We would rent a car based on what we could collectively afford. Usually no more than a day or two rental. Then we would mash out and go and do as much as we could in the time we had. New York, Toronto, Baltimore, DC, Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland, North Carolina and more. We did not sleep long, moved fast, and treaded lightly in every place we hit. Bottom line we did not have the resources to slide in your town in comfort, but we always brought style. We would go to Nation events or connect with one person that we thought it would be wise for us to sit with. It was a blast.

I am a Five Percenter, you can go look that up. Our culture is taught in close personal quarters and I will not try to explain to you here today. The relationships you build while taking your journey in study are lasting and invaluable. There is no bond stronger than those developed while walking the land with someone. Believe me. If you think y'all are in love, take a trip together, the truth will be revealed by the end of your journey. I got knowledge of self when I was nineteen. Due to the diligence and discipline of my brother Majestic, we did not take it lightly. We pushed ourselves to honor what we said was our word and with that we hit the road. From the food, the jokes, the freestyles, and jewels I gathered during our runs I was made a better man. We agreed that we could not learn what we needed to learn and do what we need to do by being static in our city. We had to be present and be of service when we showed up. I think travel is essential to breaking the hold that this society can have on our vision of the world. I will not speak to one moment, because there were too many to choose just one today. 

My question to you... For that which you believe in deeply, what will you do? Will you give up comfort to help your elder to get home after be released from the injustice? Will you let your means limit your efforts? Will you lose sleep? Will you sleep on hard floors with nothing to comfort you? Will you spend what you can't afford, so that you brother can be there with you? Will you travel seven hours although you can only stay for two? I am not making plea for you to live in suffering, but I need you to understand that some of our happiest times do not come with the comforts of the world. Driving until I was definitely asleep on the PA Turnpike was a small price to pay for trip up top to the Show and Prove. Catching tickets, dragging myself through work the next day, and having only a moment to see my moms was worth the memories. 

Peace to my elders that ain't here no more Abu Shahid and Slim Jamel. I appreciate what you gave me. 

Peace

Justice Rajee