Escapism is mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation, as an "escape" from the perceived unpleasant aspects of daily stress. It can also be used as a term to define the actions people take to try to help relieve feelings of depression or general sadness.
Some believe that this diversion is more inherent in today's urban, technological existence because it de facto removes people from their biologically normal natures. Entire industries have sprung up to foster a growing tendency of people to remove themselves from the rigors of daily life. Principal amongst these are fiction literature, music, sports, films, television, roleplaying games, pornography, religion, recreational drugs, the internet and computer games. Many activities that are normal parts of a healthy existence (e.g., eating, exercise, sexual activity) can also become avenues of escapism when taken to extreme.
If Escapism is our reality, what are we trying to escape? Or are we just born into a culture of escapism? The "daily stress" factor must also reveal all the fears we accumulate, leading up to our need to escape them.
Are we facing our fears- the big bad wolf? Or are we simply turning around and running in the opposite direction? First, it would help if we can identify and recognized our fears, from there we can tell our route of escape.
I know many of us are afraid of being seen as "inferior" destitute or financially stressed. So to escape that fear, we buy things to cloak it. We buy expensive shoes, clothes, cars, jewelry and stay as well groomed as possible.
Some of us are afraid of being called out for not being Man enough or Black enough, or not knowing enough. So we adapt to everything the most manly of Men do, the Blackest of all Black people do, and absorb as much of their rhetoric as possible.
But wait. It gets deeper. Many of us talk of going back to Africa, brag about Africa- and yet many of us are afraid of Africa. We are not in Africa sending messages back to our people saying "Come home, it's beautiful here." Instead we are hear in America as so-called "internet revolutionaries" speaking of Africa, without her dirt below our feet.
In an honest world- without escapism- I would say- come with me to Africa, let's create a movement together, so we can go together, let's awaken as many of our people as possible about this idea, because I am terrified to go there by myself.
Oh, but it gets worse. Many of us are afraid to say many of the things we speak of online, out there in the open. Afraid to hear whispers and rumors of our words from our Associates, colleges and co-workers. Such accusations would witness a shower of denials. And if we were ever called to court, with a transcript of all our words presented to us, live and in person- in front of all the world- many of us would bow our heads shamefully- and pray for a decent lie.
So here's the truth. Life is life. There is no escaping it. It's either real or it's not. Things happen and we must deal with them to the best of our abilities.
The person who cannot claim their mistakes is a fool. Not claiming our fears makes us greater fools.
Is Escapism our reality? And if so, is it a negative, a positive, or both?
Many musicians, song writers, singers and rappers look at their art form as the great escape from reality. It's not just good therapy for the listener but the artist as well.
And yet in our escapism we can still find truth.....
Some believe that this diversion is more inherent in today's urban, technological existence because it de facto removes people from their biologically normal natures. Entire industries have sprung up to foster a growing tendency of people to remove themselves from the rigors of daily life. Principal amongst these are fiction literature, music, sports, films, television, roleplaying games, pornography, religion, recreational drugs, the internet and computer games. Many activities that are normal parts of a healthy existence (e.g., eating, exercise, sexual activity) can also become avenues of escapism when taken to extreme.
If Escapism is our reality, what are we trying to escape? Or are we just born into a culture of escapism? The "daily stress" factor must also reveal all the fears we accumulate, leading up to our need to escape them.
Are we facing our fears- the big bad wolf? Or are we simply turning around and running in the opposite direction? First, it would help if we can identify and recognized our fears, from there we can tell our route of escape.
I know many of us are afraid of being seen as "inferior" destitute or financially stressed. So to escape that fear, we buy things to cloak it. We buy expensive shoes, clothes, cars, jewelry and stay as well groomed as possible.
Some of us are afraid of being called out for not being Man enough or Black enough, or not knowing enough. So we adapt to everything the most manly of Men do, the Blackest of all Black people do, and absorb as much of their rhetoric as possible.
But wait. It gets deeper. Many of us talk of going back to Africa, brag about Africa- and yet many of us are afraid of Africa. We are not in Africa sending messages back to our people saying "Come home, it's beautiful here." Instead we are hear in America as so-called "internet revolutionaries" speaking of Africa, without her dirt below our feet.
In an honest world- without escapism- I would say- come with me to Africa, let's create a movement together, so we can go together, let's awaken as many of our people as possible about this idea, because I am terrified to go there by myself.
Oh, but it gets worse. Many of us are afraid to say many of the things we speak of online, out there in the open. Afraid to hear whispers and rumors of our words from our Associates, colleges and co-workers. Such accusations would witness a shower of denials. And if we were ever called to court, with a transcript of all our words presented to us, live and in person- in front of all the world- many of us would bow our heads shamefully- and pray for a decent lie.
So here's the truth. Life is life. There is no escaping it. It's either real or it's not. Things happen and we must deal with them to the best of our abilities.
The person who cannot claim their mistakes is a fool. Not claiming our fears makes us greater fools.
Is Escapism our reality? And if so, is it a negative, a positive, or both?
Many musicians, song writers, singers and rappers look at their art form as the great escape from reality. It's not just good therapy for the listener but the artist as well.
And yet in our escapism we can still find truth.....