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.