Archive for April, 2007

A funny thing happened last weekend when I was in Philadelphia. I was scared. Not scared-scared, but nervous. Being in a city that had over 100 murders before April 1 can do that sometimes. Well, maybe I should qualify that “scared.” As I walked around West, I didn’t actually think anything was going to happen, but I was very conscious of the fact that something could jump off at any moment.

While I was driving around, I kinda reflected on the whole experience a little bit. Number one, I had to concede the fact that a lot of that nervousness is probably due to the fact that I’ve let the numbers gas my head up. I don’t think it was ever this wild when I lived there, but it was never exactly sweet, and I used to stay walking around what some folks might describe as sketchy neighborhoods in the middle of the night. Well actually, some of the places I used to walk around went right past sketchy, right into downright dangerous. But again, I was never scared. Not in some super-tuff I’m-so-bad sense, I’ve just always believed that if I’m supposed to get it, there’s nothing I can do to avoid it. If I’m not supposed to get it, then I won’t. But when I look at the website of the Inquirer and see the staggering number of murders, it’s hard not to be a little nervous. Moreover, the number of murders doesn’t even address the people who got shot and didn’t die. All those people who were shot into being quadriplegic and paraplegic don’t get mentioned in the blurbs. It wasn’t hard to remember the times I saw the silver flash when a stickup happened to the next man as I walked by, or when I heard young boys out there shooting the stop signs on the corner.

At the same time, I had to acknowledge to myself that a lot of my nervousness has to do with the fact that I don’t live in Philly anymore. There’s a degree to which being in a place means knowing the rhythm of that place. Things that look dangerous to an outsider might not even be worth noticing to a resident. Certainly, the fact that where I live now is fairly suburban has dulled my city reflexes somewhat. Who knows, maybe if I still lived in West Philly I would be nervous walking around, but I doubt it. West wasn’t just where I lived, it was home. I even felt fairly comfortable walking around North. (South Philly, on the other hand, I never did really fool with. I went down there to see my boys and that was about it.)

I can’t find the link any more, but I remember reading where one officer hypothesized that the increase in murders is due in part to the fact that the criminals are using larger-caliber weapons. It’s one thing to get shot with a .22. Getting blasted by a .45 is something altogether different - and more deadly.

UPDATE

Maybe I wasn’t as off as I thought I was. According to philly.com , 52nd and Market is the most dangerous corner in the city.

Soda and Soap - Masta Ace
What Can I Do (Remix) - Ice Cube
Cry For You - Jodeci
Night Fever - The Bee Gees
Papa Was Too - Joe Tex
Roaches - Bobby Jimmy & The Critters
It’s Okay - BeBe & CeCe Winans
Jump - Aretha Franklin
Sum Shit I Wrote - Common
Unfunky UFO - Parliament
Happiness Togetherness - Heatwave
That’s The Way I Like It - KC & The Sunshine Band
It’s A Demo - Kool G Rap & DJ Polo
Full Cooperation - Def Squad
Precious Lord/You’ve Got A Friend - Aretha Franklin
Kiss - Prince
Today - Jefferson Airplane
Outa-Space - Billy Preston
Thieves In The Night -Black Star
With Every Beat Of My Heart - James Brown
Spinning Wheel - Blood, Sweat and Tears
Smoke - Ohio Players
Never Can Say Goodbye - Isaac Hayes
I Got Plenty of Nothin - Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald

Racial slur on sofa label stuns family

Mother had to explain to daughter, 7 origin of ‘totally unacceptable’ word on wrapping of furniture built overseas
Apr 06, 2007 04:30 AM
Jim Wilkes
Staff Reporter

When the new chocolate-coloured sofa set was delivered to her Brampton home, Doris Moore was stunned to see packing labels describing the shade as “Nigger-brown.”

She and husband Douglas purchased a sofa, loveseat and chair in dark brown leather last week from Vanaik Furniture and Mattress store on Dundas St. E.

Moore, 30, who describes herself as an African-American born and raised in New York, said it was her 7-year-old daughter who pointed out the label just after delivery men from the Mississauga furniture store left.

“She’s very curious and she started reading the labels,” Moore explained. “She said, `Mommy, what is nig … ger brown?’ I went over and just couldn’t believe my eyes.”

She said yesterday each piece had a similar label affixed to the woven protective covering wrapped around the furniture.

“In this day and age, that’s totally unacceptable,” Moore said.

Douglas explained the origins of the word to daughter Olivia, telling how it was a bad name that blacks were called during the days of slavery in the United States.

“It was tough, because she really didn’t understand,” Moore said. “She’d never heard that word before and didn’t really understand the concept of it.”

Moore, who has a younger son and daughter, said she’s heard the word used many times, although it has never been directed in anger at her.

Now, I’ve used the word ‘nigga’ a LOT, and I don’t even think I’VE used it as an adjective for brown. Really, as an adjective, it has no weight. How brown would one have to be to qualify? Or to put a slight political spin on it, would Barak Obama qualify?

Wow. Although if you click on the link and look at the picture, the shipping label is… well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one like it. But who knows?

This was one of my favorite Iverson moments; probably my favorite Iverson moment of all time. Even though the Sixers only won that game in the finals, it didn’t even matter. Iverson’s 5′10″ swagger was bigger than the building.

Fellas. Tecmo Super Bowl. Safe for work, but deleterious to your efficiency.

The Eagles were solid. We had Randall, Keith, and Keith representing. Don’t let me remember how to play. Boyyyyy…

Oops. Just remembered. It was all about the Raiders on that game. Number 34. If I need to tell you who that is, this game ain’t for you. But for those who know…let’s just bask in the memories. Or go play a game.

The opening lines from some of my favorite books. And maybe a couple of my favorite opening couplets from some hip-hop songs. Maybe.

I swear ‘fo God, this is the cussinges’ man ever born, he must’ve been cussing when he came into this world, when his mother, Miss Lillybelle Washington, gave birth to this heathen the first he said must’ve been a cuss word, he probably cussed out the midwife and his mother and anybody else who happened to be in sight, cussed them out for bringin’ him into the world, he is that kind of man, you know….
The Life and Loves of Mr. Jiveass Nigger - Cecil Brown

Of all the books on this list, this is probably the only one where the first line actually made me buy the book. Now to be honest, the first three-and-some pages are a continuation of this stream of consciousness, but as soon as I saw this part, that book was bought. I mean, the title already had me predisposed to buy the book, since I naturally identified with it, but then when I saw this part - which was during one of my strong cussing phases, I HAD to get it.

Unbelievable. We danced a few fast songs together and I wasn’t too spastic, so I thought maybe I had a shot.
Home Repairs - Trey Ellis

This is the book I wish I had written. I know a few people who aren’t really crazy about it, but I swear by this book.

You don’t know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; but that ain’t no matter.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain

Simply one of the two most important books in my library.

Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board.
Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston

The other one.

When my mother was pregnant with me, she told me later, a party of hooded Ku Klux Klan riders galloped up to our home in Omaha, Nebraska, one night.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X - Malcolm X w/ Alex Haley

Nothing more to add there.

Of all the things that drive men to sea, the most common disaster, I’ve come to learn, is women.
Middle Passage - Charles Johnson

I had to read this book for a class but when I saw that first line, I was glad it was on the reading list. And yes, depending on when you ask, I concur.

And now, a hip-hop couplet or two.

I got it goin’ on, since I’m up next to flex
You can bet I drop heavy, so girls grab your kotex
- Hardcore - Redman

That was the first line I ever heard from what would eventually become one of my favorite emcees. Now granted, I always thought that Redman was at his best on his closing lines, but that opening got my attention like a cold douse of water.

Turn up the bass, check out my melody, hand out a cigar
I’m lettin’ knowledge be born and my name is the R
- My Melody - Eric B. & Rakim

Again. A stunner. I think the heavy bass thuds had already set me up so he could’ve read a phone number and I would’ve been open, but when it was Rakim? Please.

With vice I hold the mic device
with force, I keep it away, of course
- Prophets of Rage - Public Enemy

Not my favorite PE song, but that line? That’s how you open a song.