My brother, I know that you say you cannot defend their use of the term, but yet you find form and fashion - and context - to do so... Having read sister Krazelyricks poem, I can find context in which to do so, as well - and I did...(smile!) You speak of the title of the song, "NI@@ERS ARE SCARED OF REVOLUTION", and ask, "where in that particular poem or prose by these brothers do they uphold the word N*gg*r as an example of progressive, protective and proactive Black manhood...??? Merely using this anathema in the title of the song is veneration and validation of the term, and you know this SunShip, but are defending it even as you say you are not... Well, brother, how about JIBARO, MY PRETTY NI@@GA, is that not a validation and veneration of this loathesome term to place it along side the word "pretty?" Aint nothing we say with the word "pretty" in it that is not said with some degree of fondness therein... Felipe could have used another word there, but he did not, and has never been called on it... No one would call these cats to task for the usage of that word, which is far more DAMAGING and DEVASTATING to the Black psyche... Hell, Abiodun, for all intents and purposes, WAS a thug, himself, and don't get called out for it.. I'm gonna leave it right there, brothers... You are convinced of the terrible, terrible damage this young womanchild has done in writing this poem HER WAY, and I am not... You have ZERO to prove to me, I have ZERO to prove to you... Let's move on and forward... Peace! Isaiah
Brother Isaiah, you are trying to misconstrue what I say to make your own point and adding to your argument things I have never mentioned or debated…but if that’s your approach brother so be it…Let’s take Brother Felipe (a former member of The Last Poets)…and let’s deal with his fellow Puerto Rican national Jay Lo’ …both used this “N” word in different contexts, both are Puerto Ricans and each received a different response from the Black community for the context in which the term was use. In the end the people spoke. Be that Abiodun was a thug in a definitive sense or not, I don’t see him trying to justify his past misguided life or thuggery in his prose and poems via The Last Poets. Also the Last Poets was not a monolithic group and had experienced various splintering over the years with different collectives of poets representing some form of the original Last Poets…so let’s not over-simplify this groups legacy or approach to poetry. The substantive contribution the Last Poets have given to progressive Black thought stands on its own merits…I don’t have to defend it and you can’t misconstrue it…the people have spoken. If young Black folks want to celebrate and redefine the “thug” image than so be it. I think what is shameful here, is that a man (Brother Isaiah) who says he has raised daughters acts like he is not aware of the misguided admiration and fascination so many of our younger sisters have with the so-called “thug” and the so-called “bad boy”. I have heard mother after mother and even many fathers lament over their very intelligent and naïve daughters secretly and openly dealing with so-called thugs, drug-dealers and gangsters. Brother, you must not have read the other thread posted by Sister Krazelyricks about a year ago and rehashed in the teen’s forum… Brother, I think you're being irresponsible to try to make a point and defend what you believe is a noble cause at the expense of a young woman’s confusion about life and what is her idea of a good man. Based on her own words she is not clear about of lot things and that’s okay. But let's at least be honest with her. I hope Sister Krazelyricks writes what’s on her mind forever, so at least some responsible adult will speak to her ideas about life and not pat her on the head or backside and send her on her way…she is surely the best of what we have to offer and I’m sure she will be greater than ever one day and go far. Peace and Ase!
Brother Isaiah, I thank you for honoring me with this discussion and I honor you my brother. Sister Krazelyricks is blessed to have your presence here, along with Brother James and all others who have posted so far, as guides and voices of reason….and I mean this. I said it before, “it takes a community of honorable Black men to raise one Black man’s son and that also applies to our daughters and little sisters. We may disagree sometimes vehemently, but we do this because we care deeply. So, if I have said anything right, I humbly give thanks to the ancestors and the heavenly spirit world, but if I have said anything wrong, I take full responsibility for all errors in my participation in any deliberations here. Blessed is the day Sister Krazelyricks was born and may she prosper forever…for she deserves to. I’m agreeing with you my brother, this debate has been put to bed. Ase! Brother Sun Ship