AN OPEN LETTER TO ICE CUBE; YOU THE REAL MVP

Dear Ice Cube:

Straight Outta Compton means so much to so many and all for different reasons.  Can I tell you what it means to me; a middleclass woman who has a love hate relationship with Hip Hop.  Let me explain…

I remember when you were in Columbus Ohio after you left NWA.  I think you were on tour with the Lynch Mob.  I was 18, straight outta high school and smelling myself.  You and the crew were walking in Eastland mall and someone was asking girls who wants to party.  I was like “I Do!”  (I’m such a square)  But you shut me down.  I think your exact words were “Not You”.   Embarrassing!

Yes I was mad.  Even though I tried real hard to hate on you; every time I saw one of your movies I respected you more and more. 

After seeing Straight Outta Compton I realized your no was the first of many times Hip Hop would save my life.  Even though I wasn’t the biggest NWA fan, I was compelled to see it.  I wanted to hear your story. 

Worth It!!!! 

Can I bend your ear about it? 

Yes it was a moving tribute to your friend Eazy E.  But I refuse to just breeze by the political and social significance of NWA and Straight Outta Compton.

Where to start.  NWA came out towards the end of the Ronald Regan presidency.  Ironically he was California’s governor and partnered with the FBI to destroy the Black Panthers back in the day.  Him and George H. Bush who “coincidently” worked with the FBI before becoming President, got his hands dirty with the Iran Contra scandal and the flooding of black communities with crack. 

It was an all-out assault on black people in America and NWA were the brave souls who exposed it.  Thank you Cube for saying what needed to be said; the ugly truth, the reality of the black experience after the civil rights movement.

Thank you for standing up to shady businessmen.  Thank you for speaking up for Rodney King.  Thank you for showing the truce between the bloods and crips.  Thank you for standing up to deceitful reporters.   Thank you for giving love back to the people through your music and movies.  And thank you for inspiring me to change my life.

It’s funny how history repeats itself.  With the deaths of so many by the hands of the militarized police, the timing of this film is impeccable.  I hope SOC starts a conversation about today’s political climate and the social issues that still effect our community.  With the presidential election around the corner, it’s the perfect time to develop a platform that deals with the needs of black America.  From police misconduct to education, we can build on the momentum of energy that you and your brothers created with NWA.

Straight Outta Compton is the perfect bridge of dialogue from one generation to the next.  In my mind Cube, you pullin’ an Ava DuVernay and taking this flick to the high schools; pep talking these young niggas.  Give ‘em the tools they need to become critical thinkers and change they life.  Put these niggas up on game Cube!  Please; before the message is lost.

I know its wishful thinking.  I can only lead a horse to water but I can’t make it drink.  I can only drop some knowledge but I can’t make a nigga think.  But I can dream.    

Thanks Cube.  Salute.  

#IceCube

#NWA

#StraightOuttaCompton

#YoDreIGotSomethinToSay

#YoungNiggaGotItBadCauseImBrown

#SoThePoliceThinkTheyHaveTheAuthorityToKillAMinority

#SearchingMyCarLookinForProductThinkinEveryNiggaSellinNarcotics

#RodneyKing

#BeatingOfAnUnarmedMotorist

#Redecorate

#TakeItOutWhatYouOweMe

#StreetKnowledge

#Message

#ShoutOutCubesWifeForHoldingANiggaDown

#YallTheRealKingNQueenOfHipHop

   

HUMBLE PIE...IT'S WHATS FOR DINNER

My big bro’ used to tell me that when I point the finger at someone else, there are three pointing back at me.  I always loved that saying.  

A few years ago, I bought a car from a co-worker.  I let it sit for like a month because I knew it needed some work, but I didn’t have the money in pocket and wasn’t sure what all was wrong with it.  A few people saw it parked in front of the job and made some offers to buy it.  I finally decided to go ahead and sell it.  Nothing in writing, just a verbal agreement.  We got the title signed over before any money exchanged hands.  

The guy that bought it felt like he was getting a good deal.  But the car did have some issues.  After coming from the Title Agency, I went to work and he said he meet me with the money.  I took him on his word.  After about 30 minutes I started wondering was that a smart move on my part.  I should have gotten the money upfront.  The voices in my head started shouting things like, “You are stupid, he ain’t coming back.  He just ran the flim flam on you.  If he don’t bring the money back, look for the car and use the other pair of keys and wreck it.”  Devil was working on me tough.  

After about an hour or so later, I started talking back to the devil.  I told myself that if I have to take an “L” I will.  I don’t want money to make me do dumb shit or think ill of people without giving them a chance.  So I decided to put my faith and trust in God.

About two hours later, the brotha came by and told me the car stopped on him and he thinks it might be the fuel filter.  He said he was going to the parts store and the bank and he’d be back.  I thanked him for coming to tell me and asked when.  My mind was still focused on getting my money and not letting anybody get over on me.  

He came back and brought the money just like he said.  Later that night, I had some time to think to myself.  My conscious started eating at me.  I was so worried about me and what someone was going to do to me that I never thought about what I was doing to him.  Even if it was accidental.  I don’t know a lot about cars.  What if I sold him a straight lemon?  What if that car is beyond fixing?  Did I tell him everything I knew about the car?  

Instead of praying for him to bring me the money, I should have been praying that the car was working for him.  He has a kid.  His child deserves to be in a car that’s safe and reliable.  He has a mother that will probably need to be out and about too. 

That night, I had humble pie for dinner.  I wanted to point the finger at someone else instead of looking within.  Even though I kept telling him “Let’s be a blessing to each other”, I still let negativity, selfishness and pride invade my thoughts. 

As much as I be telling other folk to give people the benefit of the doubt, I had my nerve to doubt this brotha who was just trying to take care of his family.  Yeah, I went back for seconds because of my hypocrisy.  Humble pie two times.  

I have to laugh because during my fisticuffs with the devil, I was telling myself that this was going to be a lesson to learn.  It’s funny cause at first glance I thought I was learning not to trust people.  But as it turns out, I was learning not to trust myself.  And by that I mean, those loud voices in our heads that tell us not to be a victim but never tell us not to victimize.  Whether on purpose or by accident, we must be aware of how we treat others.  Even if we’ve been jaded from past experiences.  I pray the God teaches me how to focus on myself instead of other people.  Not that I mind a nice slice of humble pie, but every now and then I wouldn’t mind eating a crab leg or two.