United We Stand, Divided We FAIL

     I am saddened to have to address issues of hate, violence and racism in the year 2012.  It's ridiculous that little progress has been made through the equality and observance of human rights.  I am having trouble even comprehending the direction this nation is going in and why, after all of these years, there's no value to a black man's life.

     The murder of Trayvon Martin, February 26th, 2012, is a sad reminder of the underlying hate for, and fear of, black people in the United States.  The lack of an arrest in this case is a typical process that black people in this country have witnessed thousands of times over.  This situation, within the black community, has been happening for so long that it is neither shocking nor unexpected.  However, as with all adversity we go through, we will prevail, we will overcome, and we will rise with dignity and respect and show love for our brothers and sisters of ALL COLORS, RACES, ETHNICITY, CULTURES, AND NATIONALITY!

     Now is the time for all of us to unite together for the equality of all.  We cannot allow the actions of "a few" to cause us to fall to their level and operate in violence and fear.  We will not tolerate violence and hate against anyone and we will not repay violence with violence.  STAND UP MY BROTHERS AND SHOW WHAT YOU ARE MADE OF!!!

Inclusive Words Are Dangerous!

From the desk of Gary Mason

     I love intelligent, thought-provoking, conversations.  I also like the art of debate.  I believe a good debater can effectively argue from all sides of a topic.  This being said, today I was involved in a conversation where a gentleman was giving his perspective on Christians and the Church.  In his dialogue he stated that ALL people in church have an ulterior motive or use deception at some point.  Instantly, I pointed out that he was generalizing which weakened his argument and rendered it ineffective.

     I actually felt bad for this gentleman and I was hoping he would change his approach in order to win this imaginary contest but he chose to continue his argument even adding that he grew up in a church family and had served many years in the church, as if this were going to validate his position.

     It is a mistake to speak in general terms about specific issues.  There is no possible way that you can account for every person, situation, or issue other than using generalities, and if you choose to use generalities you can not stand on facts because facts are based on specific information or results.

     I believe using inclusive words like "all, us, we, them" is dangerous.  Sometimes when my wife has made a mistake she likes to say what "we" need to do next time.  I tell her that "we" implies "I" had something to do with "her" choices and then I remind her that "I" didn't have anything to do with what "she" did.

     Anyways, if anyone is up for some good conversation, I am always up for the challenge.  Just know that I am very good at listening and I will find the hole in your game and fill it!

What Man In His RIGHT Mind Believes This Is A Man's World?

     One of my college instructors expressed her opinion that this is “a man’s world” and that we still operate by male dominated standards.  My first reaction was to challenge what she was saying but after pondering her words I thought I should at least give some consideration to her opinion before blurting out the first thing that comes to mind.

Considered the "Who's Who" of powerful men clubs

     I guess I will start by getting the obvious out of the way by pointing out that she and I are on opposite ends of this spectrum if only because we are woman and man respectively.  I will attempt to express my opinion without using that reason as my sole argument.  First, my instructor’s statement included “exclusive men’s club” as part of her description of a man’s world.  I can agree with that, to a degree, in the fact that I believe that a relatively small group of men make decisions that affect or control the global economy.  However, that group which may be exclusively male is not all-inclusive, meaning not every male is invited to participate in this exclusive club.  My logic is, if it doesn’t include all males then “a man’s world” theory doesn’t apply.  My “world” isn’t determined by the decisions of men I don’t know nor would I allow them to have authority over me, that would be absurd.

     I've heard and been told many times, as a black man, that I can not blame my circumstances on the inequalities of life.  I can’t blame the white man for having to live in the ghetto, being on welfare, unemployed, drug dealing/addicted, being incarcerated or being a victim of violent crime at a higher rate than all other races combined.  It’s been ingrained in my psyche that this is America and if you want to succeed, you have to work for it and you can achieve it.  I believe this rhetoric but I will add “some have to work many times harder than others in order to achieve the same level of success!”  This truth can be applied to ALL people.

     So, I cannot fully agree with my instructor’s opinion, though I do understand where she is coming from.  A smart man knows the value of women and would never elevate himself above a woman.  A smart man will show he can lead and be led, that his success and general happiness is dependant upon his mutual respect for women, and if they aren’t enjoying equality then neither is he!

     My pastor said in regards to Christ's Kingdom, "His Kingdom produces change in the tactics of the people who are part of His Kingdom!"  Change in tactics.  I am really feeling this revelation.

     I know for a fact that I operate on a different level than most of the people that are around me, but before people start throwing their arms up in a huff, let me explain my position.  I believe I handle adversity very well.  I don't see limitations or barriers the same as other people do.  As a matter of fact, I believe the only obstacles I face are the ones that I am not creative enough to overcome.  Other than that there's nothing I can't do, nothing I can't achieve.  I truly believe this.

     My words are not the proof of my convictions, my actions are.  I carry myself in a manner that doesn't overwhelm others or intrudes on others own beliefs.  It is because I believe in and trust in Jesus Christ and I am able to walk in strength and peace and compassion and love for others.  I continually reap the benefits of carrying myself in this manner including the stability of my family, my sobriety from bondage to drug addiction, my success in college and the blessings of creativity through Christ Jesus.  All of this came from a change in tactics.  I quit operating within my own power.  I actively seek to do the will of Jesus Christ and since I became born again I have been able to live a life without fear or worry and free from all bondage.

     Think about living a life free of fear and worry with the ability to succeed in all that you do.  It's not a fantasy.  I'm living proof!

Now That's Gangsta!

     The New Oxford American Dictionary defines gangster as:  a member of a gang of violent criminals.  Gary Mason's Dictionary Of Street Slang And Other Words Black People Made Cool defines gangsta as:  anything or anyone that is fearless, heroic, bold, controversial, aggressive, innovative, and creative beyond ordinary expectations.

     With that loose definition I will share with you what I consider gangsta.  I just finished watching Freedom Riders and I tell you all of the people that participated in the freedom rides are gangsta.  Toward the end of this national protest for the equality of all, these riders, more than three hundred, were put in prison, not jail, prison, to do hard labor for breaking segregation laws in Mississippi.  Not only did they go to prison, but they knew before they boarded the buses and trains in their respective cities, that they were going to go to prison.  That's gangsta!  Believing in and fighting for something without regard to personal safety, knowing that a prison sentence is inevitable and death could also be a possibility, and still moving forward is gangsta.  The Governor of Mississippi at that time, Ross Barnett, was trying to send a message to the Freedom Riders that if they came to Mississippi, they were going to go to prison.  When the Freedom Riders heard about this, they started singing songs like "The buses are comin'."  Their resolve was, they weren't afraid of anything that the state of Mississippi could throw at them.  That's gangsta!

     I watched, with pride in my heart, black and white people, side by side, get on those buses and head out to the deep south to non-violently fight for the greater good of all people.  When I listened to them speak about what they went through, I had nothing but admiration for them.  Those people are real heroes.  I can't even imagine people uniting like that today and standing for a cause that would bring equality to all.  However, I do believe there are people out there who will stand up for what is right and if pushed, will fight to the death for the "cause."

     So, the next time you hear Lil' Wayne rap or you watch the movie Scarface and think that's the definition of gangsta, think again.  Real gangsta's get it done without using violence and they fight for causes that are worthy of recognition and praise.