Category: Social Commentary

Slam Sundays: Black History, Past & Presence

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Source: http://www.euclidlibrary.org/

Hey y’all,

So I’ve decided that this February I really want to celebrate Black History month in my own lil way. So the following Slam Poetry is an intro to a month of posts that relate, at least in some way, to black history, or to the Black Experience. I think, especially growing up in the me-me-me generation, that it’s easy to take for granted the things that we have, and to dismiss the true significance of the little things in life we get to enjoy. Scouring YouTube for Spoken Word on black history, or black history month, I listened to some pretty powerful poems, ones that reminded me of things that, while not forgotten, aren’t always contemplated.

Like the fact that in my lifetime I have never seen a “White’s Only” sign on a bathroom door, or on the door to a grocery store. Or a water fountain. Or anything at all. Although sadly, the rare person still tries to pull that crap. But that was (more…)

The Top 5 Designer Drugs Smart People Don’t Mess With

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I’ll be honest with you: I have never tried a real drug before in my life. With the exception of marijuana and hash. Which I did in high school, but haven’t done in several years now. I really don’t like the concept, or the feel of drugs. The idea that something is going to alter my brain chemistry in such a way that I literally will not be able to think like myself, or to control anything that I think or do, leaves me uneasy. And slightly terrified. And, throwing in another piece of honesty here, I’ve always kinda imagined that, if someone was going to take a drug and then jump off a 20-story building cause they think they can fly, it’ll probably be me. So, to stay alive and avoid being broken, either mentally or physically, for life, I just say no to drugs. However, I’m not preachy or judgy about it. If you ask me my opinion I’ll tell ya. If you’re doing something that will endanger you, or people around you, I’ll speak up. And if you’re going to do drugs, I will not leave myself in a position where you can harm me in any way. Other than that, I’m all about live and let live.

However, this new trend of designer drugs sweeping the nations is from another planet. When you check out the videos below, you’ll see what I mean. Not that I thought people trying to sell their babies for crack or their bodies for some smack was cute or anything, but WTF are these new drugs turning otherwise decent human beings into? From terribly dangerous health positions to violence and cannibalism, it seems like (more…)

8 Year Old Boy Dies After Hanging Himself

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Julianni Plascencia death
Julianni’s father Ronnie cradles his son in hospital

While loading my net home page, I usually glance over whatever news appears in the headlines (on msn.com). I’m pretty anti-news as far as things go, so usually I only come by what’s happening in the world incidentally or through word of mouth. Yesterday, I came across the story of 8 year old Julianni Plascencia, who died this past weekend. For a full account of the story, check out this link. As a summary for those who don’t have time to read through all the articles, this 8 year old child told his brother earlier that day that he was going to hang himself. His brother, not taking him seriously, still told him he shouldn’t joke about such things. Their mother had run out to the store, leaving the elder brother in charge. (more…)

Slam Sundays: On Feminism/Feminazis

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image

Since last week, and after several posts I’ve written (check them out here and here), I’ve been doing quite a lot of thinking on what feminists really mean to me. So hey, why not make my first Slam Sundays back ALLLLLL about feminists? Ok, so this first one, I think, kinda illustrates exactly what drives the feminazi to her extremes. Her original commitment to feminism wasn’t all about nitpicking and taking offense to clearly inoffensive things, or calling “misogyny!” on anything that has anything to do with women, unless a feminist said it. No. However, this satyric Slam Poem may help you understand the f&$#*# up thinking and rationale that can be encountered after claiming “feminist”, and why their back is up and they feel the need to war, fight, and defend every moment of every woman’s existence…even when, upon some time and rational thought, they’d probably realize that some of those wars really have nothing to do with their cause. Like how the weapons of mass destruction search really had nothing to do with anything but hijacking some oil.

Seems extreme, no? But I have personally heard some very stupid men say almost the exact same thing, when referring to feminists (not feminazi’s..but true feminists)…and when referring to lesbians. Ok, so this next video
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God, Please Let The PJ’s-in-Public Trend End!!!

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If you had time and money to perfectly color-coordinate your outfit, you've got five seconds to find a pair of pants
If you had time and money to perfectly color-coordinate your outfit, you’ve got five seconds to find a pair of pants

Hey y’all,

Ok, so this Freaky Friday, in this brutally, brittle cold month of January, with this death virus circling around and claiming people left and right, I feel like it’s high time for a little giggle. So, I’m gonna talk about something we all know is being taken waaayyyyyy too far. If the picture wasn’t clue enough for you, maybe you need a little bit of a vacation, because your attention to detail is a little shot, buddy. And no, the answer isn’t Sesame Street..that’s right, it’s the blight to our society: wearing your PJ’s in public. Now, while I do have a hilarious little video clip later on, this is NOT a joking matter, people. First, we had the craze of the negligee dress and tank top. Then we went the whole other way on the whole bedroom attire in public thing, from female and overly sexy, bordering on slutty, to unisex and damn near sloppy, with pajama bottoms for everyone! And not just to run to the store quickly, or to roll into your 8am class and then run home to actually get dressed like a decent human being before really starting your day. No no. Let’s intentionally make the plan that today, from morning til night, I will be dressed as though I am lounging in front of my TV. With the flu. Because why else would you spend the entire day in your pajamas, even if you’re not leaving home. Have you not heard of jogging pants? (more…)

Racists are Morons: but Knowing Basic English in Customer-focused Jobs a Must

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Hey y’all,

I’m going to preface this post by saying, I am 100% positive that 99.99% of the times that someone precedes their story or comment with “I’m not racist, but..” or “And this is not racist”… they are about to say something so damn offensive, so blatantly racist, that people from every race cringe when hearing it, deadpan, eyes widened with jaw a little slack, wondering “are they stupid, kidding, or really just that ignorant to their own closet racism???”. But, there is that 0.01% of the times that whatever is going to come out of the sayers mouth will have to do with race or culture on some level, without being racist or abusing some form of stereotype. Today, I will be that 0.01%. I swear it. So before writing off my entire rant as racist, please hear me out til the end. Because honestly…

I am not racist. Seriously. Racist commentary from other people really and truly offends me. In fact, I generally frown upon, whether in jest or being serious, drawing upon stereotypes or biased opinions about an entire culture by using one or a few people within that group to generalize (more…)

Slam Sundays: Things I’m Ashamed of and Things That Don’t Shame Me (Even if YOU Think They Should)

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So. I was gonna do a deep and meaningful Slam Sundays. I really, truly was. But I just love this chicks style so very, very much. I was beyond entertained, and I think we all deserve to catch a message and a chuckle. That, and I’ve come down with the flu and feel like death on wheels. Soooooo I’ll save that whole deep and meaningful theme for next week and instead throw some “just because they’re entertaining as hell” poetry slams your way. So check it out y’all, and enjoy!

See? Tell me you didn’t laugh, at least twice. Ok, so the next one, was funny and yet awesome, in the fact that it’s actually social commentary on a whole different type of “ism”. Hmmmm, what could I call it? (more…)

New Laws Give Cab Driver’s the Green Light to Discriminate Against YOU!

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ImageYes, you read that correctly. The taxi cab industry in Toronto is getting an overhaul. They’ve proposed many a change, which you can check out a summary here in this article, or take a look at ALL the proposed changes in detail here, most which will more directly impact the cab drivers themselves. However, some of those changes will impact the customers, and while some of the changes will be for the better (like mandatory accessibility for disabled persons) others…not so much. I can see some issues arising with their $25 fee for anyone who “soils” the cab primarily because…seriously?…if you’re drunk enough to puke in the cab to begin with, what’s the honest-to-God likelihood you’ll remember doing so in 10 minutes? And if you don’t believe you were the soiler, either from pure blackout drunkenness, or because you literally think you did not make whatever mess the cabbie is complaining about (because the actual law isn’t limited to puke: it does actually say soil), then what happens, an automatic trip to the cop shop to sort things out at 3am? However, issues aside, I can completely understand the validity behind imposing it, and a simple solution to any disputes (I mean, it’s pretty cut and dry and the end of the day, especially if you have an in-cab video camera…either you did it, or you didn’t. And bro? You puke in my car, your bill ends up being FAR greater than that, and is accompanied by me showing up at your door in the morning, handing you a scrub brush and some cleaning shit, and giving you the silent treatment til that god awful smell is fully gone).

But, the one thing I take MAJOR issue with, is the new law which will allow a cabbie to bill you upfront $25 based on whether or not in his opinion you will run out on your fare or not. And, of course, that judgment will be completely arbitrary. Basically, said cabbie gets to (more…)

For The Love of God, Stop Misusing the Feminist Card

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Beforefeminism I say anything else, let me start off by saying I’m all for Human Rights, as a whole, be it women’s rights, rights for minorities, rights for those with alternate genders, sexualities, religious beliefs, and just about anything that involves the betterment of human kind that does not involve harming or infringing on the rights or well being of others. But that doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to have opinions, nor does believing in everyone having equal rights mean that in some way either I must think exactly anything relating to that group of people and what they do should be not only legal, not only socially acceptable, but should in fact be glorified as the only way to live, and curse those who may think otherwise.

Especially when those thoughts being in conflict would in no way, shape or form harm anyone on any level. And really (more…)

Grown Ass Baby Syndrome

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I am ashamed to say I am a member of the “me me me” generation. In all fairness, it’s not our fault. Between fallacious promises like “if you get a college education you’ll be living large”, to our parents trying to provide us a life and opportunities they weren’t afforded (often at the cost of teaching us independence, discipline, and/or the diligence to put our asses to the grind and do what needs to be done to succeed – because, quite frankly, few people work quite that hard when they don’t feel any need to), my generation has gotten a raw deal in the field of learning how to be grown ass men/women. (more…)