Something I Feel Strongly About

I need y’all to stop lying. I mean for real, I need you to stop lying. What do I mean? Lying about what Rajee? I been around the block a few times. I have seen things, talked to folks, and been amongst many walks of life. One thing that keeps coming up for me is that we have a racist, sexist, and other ist society, but no one is a purveyor of any of these isms. I am not the first to draft the prior point into words, but being first and only is not the core of my value structure. What is a core value is being real about my strengths and area of opportunity. I need y’all to stop lying.

What do I mean? I had a conversation a month or two ago with a friend and a good brother. The conversation was not just about how men in general treat women and it was not centered on how black men treat women by design, but it landed there due to the men talking at that time. We shared a moment of thought around the number of women we know who have revealed in trust the obscene, foul, and disturbing things they have experienced on Earth with men. With men in community and out. With men in family and out. Things like inappropriate touching, propositions, and far worse. I need y’all to stop lying. In my life as a male I have taken privilege and been inappropriate. I own that. I know that I am not the only one who even in the midst of my development has not made an error. Women say these things happen to them and some of us start with the bull that we have never seen a violation of any sort. The evidence is out there and I need y’all to stop lying.

I need y’all stop lying about consent. I need y’all stop lying about you prowess. I need y’all to stop lying about what happened that night. I need y’all to stop lying about how you care. I need y’all to stop lying. To get ahead of the fools that will say it, I don’t need any more evidence or data to support my view. I need y’all to stop lying. Own your shit and get some help. Stop lying. Make amends where appropriate. Stop lying. I need y’all to stop lying. For real. Peace.

Justice Rajee

Stuff Happens... Then You Have To Adjust

About a month ago I started to run a #3OWritingChallenge inspired by my good brother @ALifeAllah. I got to day two and something happened. A work opportunity that I had been anticipating was posted for hire. That took priority. I stopped everything to complete my materials and prepare for the interview. Wow, so confident you may say expecting an interview while only applying for the job. The role I was applying for was inside of the agency where I already work, but running a new program that expands to new client base. It is a role I have been looking forwards to for the better part of the year. Further why apply if for something and not treated as if you will be interviewed? 

When opportunities to do the work you would like to do and that you have been preparing yourself for are there, you have to strike. For me that meant a high quality cover letter, updating my resume, and preparing for the interview. That means reviewing my past work, identifying my qualifying experience, and organizing my responses to the questions I expected to be asked.

All in all that meant I could not sit and write anything here. Then I interviewed, got the job and then had to begin the work of doing the job. That means getting a new program off the ground from concept to actual product. Also I had to handle the responsibilities of my prior role until my replacement could come onboard. That means him have two jobs and one body. In any event I am getting on the other side of the initial rush and need to get back to work here. 

There it is sorry for the delay in the action. Back to work. Peace 

Happiest Moments...

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

Ten Ways To Win My Heart

Ten ways to win my heart. That is the premise of the first entry in my 30 day writing challenge. The heart. The blood pumping core of us all is a real organ and a metaphor for that which is close and deep in value to each of us. The list that follows is a short assortment of those things that will win you some cool points, maybe even favor. Enjoy.

Kindness

Kindness is the simplest daily dose of love and righteousness that we can share with one another. It does not take much to show it and it can change the course of someone’s day when you show it.

Philadelphia International Records

If you don’t the musical stylings of Philadelphia International Records we are going to have hard time opening our heart to you. Go here: http://www.gamble-huffmusic.com/home/ to start your journey.

Curiosity

I do not understand people that just do not want to understand things. There is so much to learn, so much much available to be explored that I can’t rock with you if you are fighting to remain shallow in your understanding.

Individual Style

Be you money. Find something that works for you and rock it with confidence. For the record just because you have something some people think is stylish does not mean you have style. Which leads to...

Don’t be corny

Corny is like pornography you know it when you see it. Don’t be corny.

Skepticism

I don’t believe you. You need more people. If you can operate with a healthy dose of the above, we can kick it.

Books

I read, I read, I will read again soon. You should too. Here is one of my lists on Amazon: http://a.co/4vtuTZ5  show me some love, peace

Geatano’s Cheesesteaks

I was born in the great state of NJ in the city of Trenton, but I was raised most of my days in Willingboro. I am not endorsing cheesesteaks as healthy part of your diet, but they are a healthy part of my youth. I grew up in a special place the steaks from the good folks at Geatona’s are a part of that history. If you find yourself in the area grab one.

Boomerrang

The movie. I enjoy it and you should too. I have full creative autonomy. 

Outside

When I was kid my Saturday adventures would start with one phase “Mom, I’m going outside” From there my day could be anything from playing ball, playing in the woods, some kind of tag game, bike racing, whiffle ball, whatever. It was going down outside someplace. Go outside and do something fun. Walking is one of my favorites and good medicine for that which ails you. 

Thank you for reading. Peace

Justice Rajee