Another Man Dragged to Death in Texas

Let's be real, racism still exists but we won't dwell on it at this moment. The point I'd like to make is about a man named Brandon McClelland, 24 years old of East Texas, was dragged to death on September 16th by two white men, one of which whom was his friend, prior to his death. Now I wonder why we never hear about stuff like this. The news is really a heap of bologna now and I can't believe they blow up things like Obama's "terrorist handshakes" with his wife when people are being murdered on a the daily.

I'm reading a lot of different stories but the main one tells me this was not a hate and will not be tried as a hate crime because of the previous friendship among the three. In fact, one of the main stories that will pop up when you google his name is entitled, "Suspect's Sister: Texas Dragging Death Not Racial." However, according to the Associated Press, Deric Muhammad of the Nation of Islam who is leading an independent investigation of the case says that the friendship among the two, minus the accomplice, motivated this case to be a classified as a hate crime.

I've looked into this story since I heard about it over two weeks ago which is far from the date of the incidence. The even larger picture is that media and people who know of the case are comparing it to James Byrd Jr. who was also dragged to death in Jasper Texas and this was a hate crime. So is this a hate or the epitome of American?

Not to mention that the "gang" reporters keep referring to is the white supremacist group that suspect acquired affiliation with after a prior prison sentence. And why don't we hear about things like this again? I know people would argue that blacks murder white people too and in fact thats just about all they murder (I've seen this argument on other blogs). But the truth is, about half of all murder victims are black and the majority of murderers, or least convicted ones, are black (hence the high population of blacks in prison). So when we loathe over white people who are murdered, which should not be disregarded, lets consider black people who have been killing each other

So why when a black man is dragged to death for nearly 70 feet underneath a truck this does not get publicized? When is body is so badly mangled that it could not be embalmed after having poured beer on it and leaving pieces of his body on the pavement, why is this not publicized? I guess its just the epitome of American since it obviously isn't hate.

1,161,022

1,161,022, that was the number of views that this video had when I looked at it. It's only been up for a little over a week and I must add to the popularity. Not to mention that I must give her credit for putting this video up of herself. Kudos.

No Bitemarks No Scratches & No Hickies

I'm in love... but with a voice and not really a person. If you haven't heard Miguel Jontel please jump into the astrovan (new age bandwagon) quickly, because his voice is amazing. It's rare that I will just disregard the lyrics because the voice is grade A, but Miguel is an exception.

Mischief the Mixtape features some of Miguel's songs that are less familiar than "Quickie" but good none the less. I can't explain enough of the level of perfection that was reached in the song "Quickie." Now I know you're probably reading this thinking a song could not possible be that good, but harmonies were perfect and all the write notes were hit. This is that song that has me over over the superficial words because that song hits thee spot.

I'd almost be all over the next guy who can sing this song legitimately, but I listened to the words.

"Had to Make It Hurt..."

Jazmine Sullivan is quite possible the best thing since sliced peaches. I know the U.K. movement is in full effect with people like Estelle and what not, but their voices fail in comparison. I must give her credit for her word choice. In Fact, Ms. Sullivan was definitely on her innovation game when she made these songs. Has it ever been said/sung better?

Exhibit A: Bust Your Windows. Her songs, voice and sound is fresh. I haven't liked a female artist's album this much since Back to Black by Amy Winehouse. And please, expect a blog soon on Ms. Winehouse, drug use should strictly discredit morality and not talent and I love her music none the less.

But back to Jazmine Sullivan, her music is hot. Reminds me of a Keyshia Cole and a Lauryn Hill with a smidge of pop.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised...

But it should be. If you have the time, watch the second video.

Why don't we question the government more often?

Heaven Deserves You

Today I received the news that a friend passed away. Honestly, we were never the closest of friends and even under the circumstances that I met him, those six weeks in Indiana could not have made us any closer that we were meant to be. But I feel like his death has taught me a lesson none the less.

Today after reading the message with the news, I didn't feel like a new person but the senseless motions I go through everyday felt numbing. I can't help but wonder if I'm making the most of my life. Life is full of possibilities, the chances to become some famous athlete, find the cure for cancer, produce a movie, ANYTHING! And I wonder what am I doing with mine? I love college and this is really the happiest I have ever been my life, but is being happy enough?

Is happy going to make me feel like I accomplished all of my goals or helped others or is happiness really all I need? I can't help but remain perplexed by the fact that the possibilities are out there, but here I am, in college living this life despite the fact that so many other choices exist.

And age means nothing. He was so young, nineteen is nothing. I can guarantee he didn't expect to die. Now Jordan is gone forever, no one will ever see him, his mom will never get another call, his sisters will never get another visit and holidays are will be relentlessly incomplete.

But while some people say they imagine their life flashing before their eyes, a friend of mine reasons that when we die we won't regret not having done something. I don't want to think that I let taboo notion stand in the way of what I wanted. Whenever that time comes, I don't want to view my life as I knew it, wondering why I let what life could have been for me pass me by. So now my question is, do I live it up preparing to die tomorrow or do I plan for the long run which may never come?

I'll never know. But I'm thankful to have known him. Heaven deserves him.

I'll end with the last words that stayed on Jordan's aways
"Started off hustling ended up ballin"
"Its like rolling a dutch with the windows down"

Urban Thesaurus

Grind: to be on one's game, basically a hustle.

I've been hearing it often, and I'm kind of getting sick of it.

I'd like to make UrbanThesaurus.com. I just had to blog quickly so I can claim it first.

Ms. IndePending

I know, I know. I haven't on this for a while, but with school back in session I hardly have time alone with my personal thoughts. I've started many blogs, but they arise where creativity and inconsistency meet.

Ms. IndePending is a term I would like to coin for all women, females, ladies, girls, "gurls" and even hermaphrodites who aren't quite on that Ms. Independent game, and yes, it's all a game. I think the idea of having to embody Ms. Independent arises as a response to men, and in some cases: boys. But why are we giving ourselves so much credit for swag we should already possess? So until we quit the games, we remain pending.

In other words, the image we strive to conceptually control will continue to be defined by men until we decide that we won't care. Women will remain "under construction" and "pending" until we stop relying on what others thing or say about us define us. Not to say that the ideals men have for women control our lives but few of us, as I would like to assume, get up and get cute to entertain the eyes of other women. So the idea of my own car, own house, work hard, to jobs as a bad broad never really verbally personified us because even if I have all that, I still think there is so much more to independence than material satisfaction.

I'd like to think I can never fully consider myself grown until I'm financially and emotionally independent anyways, and I don't really see that in the near future. There will always be someone or something you need, always. But don't mistake me for a staunch feminist, of course I like equality minus the gender dominance, but lets all be real with ourselves, Ne-Yo probably hasn't met the typical college female working 1.5 jobs to maintain a phone bill and buy as many mini corndogs as her heart desires (or budget can afford). So until that mini corndog supply becomes unlimited, Ms. Independent shall remain pending.

But I'd still like to than Webbie, Lil Boosie Bad Azz and Ne-Yo for making that songs that put a definition to a physical being, kind of. But ladies, lets remain pending while we can... because if its bills that make me a boss, I think I will remain the employee.