Conscious Nonesense

[AfroNinpo]

This is another AfroNinpo rant that I'm sure some of you will feel...

After being "attacked" over and over again by so-called and self-proclaimed "Conscious" or "Militant" brothers and sisters for not having locks or rockin' a kufi, or mudcloth or for eating meat or drinking an occasional soda or for wearing Marc Ecko one day and a Malcolm X shirt the next... I officially REJECT the term conscious as a label for me or anything I am doing. Why? Conscious-like attire, speech, behavior, and diet is such a fad now that I can't be bothered! Am I rejecting history, military mindedness, black economics, or Africa in any way???? No! I'm rejecting the coffee house negros who know a few ancient words and a little history who think there is only one expression of awareness and knowledge of self. I feel like Mos Def when he said, "Stop all the nonsense, like he conscious, I'm just awake y'all, I'm feeling great y'all" (or something like that). It's nice to say, "Peace Brother" when you're attending a so-called conscious event, but then when you get on the phone, it's "Whatup, dog?" Give me a break, bruh! I've seen different sisters with locks turn their noses up on other sisters because she got a perm, not knowing that permed sister know more history, politics, and black economics than they do. But y'all know what sent me over the edge this morning??? One of my coworkers said..."You're so militant that you seem like you'd date a white girl!" What the f**k!...and I continue, "I'm not saying that to be funny, it's just that you're so pro-black, and all these so called pro-black brothers be dating white chicks!" Awwwwwwwww HELL naw! I'm done! WA...come slap this sister for me! (I know James, I know Sunship, black on black violence is not the answer....but this sister needs a book...hardcover...thrown at her head...at a high velocity!)

[JOSIE]

This is another AfroNinpo rant that I'm sure some of you will feel...

After being "attacked" over and over again by so-called and self-proclaimed "Conscious" or "Militant" brothers and sisters for not having locks or rockin' a kufi, or mudcloth or for eating meat or drinking an occasional soda or for wearing Marc Ecko one day and a Malcolm X shirt the next... I officially REJECT the term conscious as a label for me or anything I am doing. Why? Conscious-like attire, speech, behavior, and diet is such a fad now that I can't be bothered! Am I rejecting history, military mindedness, black economics, or Africa in any way???? No! I'm rejecting the coffee house negros who know a few ancient words and a little history who think there is only one expression of awareness and knowledge of self. I feel like Mos Def when he said, "Stop all the nonsense, like he conscious, I'm just awake y'all, I'm feeling great y'all" (or something like that). It's nice to say, "Peace Brother" when you're attending a so-called conscious event, but then when you get on the phone, it's "Whatup, dog?" Give me a break, bruh! I've seen different sisters with locks turn their noses up on other sisters because she got a perm, not knowing that permed sister know more history, politics, and black economics than they do. But y'all know what sent me over the edge this morning??? One of my coworkers said..."You're so militant that you seem like you'd date a white girl!" What the f**k!...and I continue, "I'm not saying that to be funny, it's just that you're so pro-black, and all these so called pro-black brothers be dating white chicks!" Awwwwwwwww HELL naw! I'm done! WA...come slap this sister for me! (I know James, I know Sunship, black on black violence is not the answer....but this sister needs a book...hardcover...thrown at her head...at a high velocity!)

LOL! I'm feelin u (as always)
Don't be mad at her though. It's not her fault that's the perception she has. I'd be offended too because that's not fair that u try to keep a certain rep about urself and people come along steal ur style, mess it all up and u get thrown into categories with them.
Tell em why u mad son lol!

[Nefertiti]

I'll slap that bitch for you afro...And i will!!!...naw but people tend to become judgemental in their "conscious awareness" I seen it! now its nothing wrong with being Pro black but some folk have to realise there's a starting point to everything!...even with "awakening" one's awareness you got some people that dress and look the part and dont know nothing at about consciousness, and you got some that dont rock the look and will teach you a thing or two!...we still as a people have a long way to go and you figure we should have been pass all this...peace

[Moorish Rebel]

I feel you 100%... dawg (j/k brotherman lol)

[Elisa Keisha]

Thank u for sahring your feelings AfroNinpo,

my opinion is that we are all humans, and bein conscious about your history doesnt mean you evolve in all levels of moral and undersanding. Consciousnes doesnt mean perfection and i would like to think as we want others to accep us with our differences (for at the end of the day we are all suppose to be working for a same mission), we shouldnt be doin it too, or at least watch ourselves while we do it.
We are all in a process.

This behaviour, u can see it everywhere, conscious, non conscious, punkis, no punkis.... It happened something similar here in Spain when rap started to be "in" and everyone was tryin to talk about the I know more underground rappers than you.
Its like a "natural" behavior when we are in this society and under its stressin and competitive life.

I dont mean we have to like everybody, but if we see the contradiction in them, understand where it comes from, even talk about it in a positive way! for the shake of keeping our peace of mind.

And on another note. I believe thats something we will agree. Consciousness must be acquired internally first! physical or fashion change should be the ultimate reflection of your mental state.

You rock a cloth from Ghana, after you have learnt about cultural colonialism and opression, after you have learnt about the beauty of your roots, after you read about the histoy of Ghana, history of decolonization, Kwame Nkrumah.

You rock a Haile Selassie pic on your jacket after you have learnt about Afrikan History, ethiopian history, the conection between Selassie and Jamaica, the Bible, the Kebra Negast and after you read about Black Nationalism and Destiny. Not before!

You wear an ankh on your finger after you have read about what it means, Kemethic history and spirituality, natural living and the importance of roots.

And I mean reaaad and listen. Not just "heard about"..

and if you do this before, its ok, in fact its great coz it means you have already taken one step, but just aknowledge it. And keep learning for a deeper understanding of what you "are being".

When you see somebody that its in a so called contradiction, explain to him or her. Like if you want somebody who says they are conscious to stop usin Nike, give them some reads or links to webpages that talk about what Nike is doing. And if the next week he keeps usin his Nike shoes think that maybe thats the only ones he has and he loves them!! or keep trying to change their mind, but be kind n humble! damn, coz nobody will want to learn anything from arrogant people, nobody will want to learn anything from people that think they are so much better than him/her from knowing it.
Folks just dont get it.

Thank you for allowing me to share my 2cents

Peace

[Jalili]

This is another AfroNinpo rant that I'm sure some of you will feel...

After being "attacked" over and over again by so-called and self-proclaimed "Conscious" or "Militant" brothers and sisters for not having locks or rockin' a kufi, or mudcloth or for eating meat or drinking an occasional soda or for wearing Marc Ecko one day and a Malcolm X shirt the next... I officially REJECT the term conscious as a label for me or anything I am doing. Why? Conscious-like attire, speech, behavior, and diet is such a fad now that I can't be bothered! Am I rejecting history, military mindedness, black economics, or Africa in any way???? No! I'm rejecting the coffee house negros who know a few ancient words and a little history who think there is only one expression of awareness and knowledge of self. I feel like Mos Def when he said, "Stop all the nonsense, like he conscious, I'm just awake y'all, I'm feeling great y'all" (or something like that). It's nice to say, "Peace Brother" when you're attending a so-called conscious event, but then when you get on the phone, it's "Whatup, dog?" Give me a break, bruh! I've seen different sisters with locks turn their noses up on other sisters because she got a perm, not knowing that permed sister know more history, politics, and black economics than they do. But y'all know what sent me over the edge this morning??? One of my coworkers said..."You're so militant that you seem like you'd date a white girl!" What the f**k!...and I continue, "I'm not saying that to be funny, it's just that you're so pro-black, and all these so called pro-black brothers be dating white chicks!" Awwwwwwwww HELL naw! I'm done! WA...come slap this sister for me! (I know James, I know Sunship, black on black violence is not the answer....but this sister needs a book...hardcover...thrown at her head...at a high velocity!)

LOL ON POINT FOR REAL I think of that all the time they come at me about what I wear sometimes Because I still have a few pairs of Jordans from High school that I can still wear and they try to say that I'm just feeding he white mans kids so high can you talk aout black empowerment if you don't wear.................................SANDLES yeah I heard that yesterday after work all I can say is that i can;t agree with you more.

[Revolutionary_Student]

Thank u for sahring your feelings AfroNinpo,

my opinion is that we are all humans, and bein conscious about your history doesnt mean you evolve in all levels of moral and undersanding. Consciousnes doesnt mean perfection and i would like to think as we want others to accep us with our differences (for at the end of the day we are all suppose to be working for a same mission), we shouldnt be doin it too, or at least watch ourselves while we do it.
We are all in a process.

This behaviour, u can see it everywhere, conscious, non conscious, punkis, no punkis.... It happened something similar here in Spain when rap started to be "in" and everyone was tryin to talk about the I know more underground rappers than you.
Its like a "natural" behavior when we are in this society and under its stressin and competitive life.

I dont mean we have to like everybody, but if we see the contradiction in them, understand where it comes from, even talk about it in a positive way! for the shake of keeping our peace of mind.

And on another note. I believe thats something we will agree. Consciousness must be acquired internally first! physical or fashion change should be the ultimate reflection of your mental state.

You rock a cloth from Ghana, after you have learnt about cultural colonialism and opression, after you have learnt about the beauty of your roots, after you read about the histoy of Ghana, history of decolonization, Kwame Nkrumah.

You rock a Haile Selassie pic on your jacket after you have learnt about Afrikan History, ethiopian history, the conection between Selassie and Jamaica, the Bible, the Kebra Negast and after you read about Black Nationalism and Destiny. Not before!

You wear an ankh on your finger after you have read about what it means, Kemethic history and spirituality, natural living and the importance of roots.

And I mean reaaad and listen. Not just "heard about"..

and if you do this before, its ok, just aknowledge it. And keep learning for a deeper understanding of what you "are being".

When you see somebody that its in a so called contradiction, explain to him or her. Like if you want somebody who says they are conscious to stop usin Nike, give them some reads or links to webpages that talk about what Nike is doing. And if the next week he keeps usin his Nike shoes think that maybe thats the only ones he has and he loves them!! or keep trying to change their mind, but be kind n humble! damn, coz nobody will want to learn anything from arrogant people, nobody will want to learn anything from people that think they are so much better than him/her from knowing it.
Folks just dont get it.

Thank you for allowing me to share my 2cents

Peace

2cents? That was more like $5.00! I felt every word. You hit it on the nose sistah.

[Moorish Rebel]

LOL ON POINT FOR REAL I think of that all the time they come at me about what I wear sometimes Because I still have a few pairs of Jordans from High school that I can still wear and they try to say that I'm just feeding he white mans kids so high can you talk aout black empowerment if you don't wear.................................SANDLES yeah I heard that yesterday after work all I can say is that i can;t agree with you more.

Brother as long as we are living here in Babylon we are supporting the whiteman. As long as capitalism stands, we are supporting the white man. This is bigger than a damn pair of nikes. I remember a while back at a rastafari meeting when this brother from Ghana was breaking it down saying that it's funny how we all say burn batty bwoy but yet it's batty bwoys that are at the highest places in society, it is batty bwoys who write our pay checks so in a way we are the ones who depend on batty bwoys so fiyah burn us! We need to realise that there will aways be contradictions that are out of our control. No one is perfect, I'm sure even some of the most self rightious, judgemental "Afrocentrics" has flaws but yet are quick to condem others.

[Jalili]

Brother as long as we are living here in Babylon we are supporting the whiteman. As long as capitalism stands, we are supporting the white man. This is bigger than a damn pair of nikes. I remember a while back at a rastafari meeting when this brother from Ghana was breaking it down saying that it's funny how we all say burn batty bwoy but yet it's batty bwoys that are at the highest places in society, it is batty bwoys who write our pay checks so in a way we are the ones who depend on batty bwoys so fiyah burn us! We need to realise that there will aways be contradictions that are out of our control. No one is perfect, I'm sure even some of the most self rightious, judgemental "Afrocentrics" has flaws but yet are quick to condem others.

I'm going to give this to some of the people who talk funny that no one as of right now ahs any room really to talk.

[rebelAfrika]

I feel like Mos Def when he said, "Stop all the nonsense, like he conscious, I'm just awake y'all, I'm feeling great y'all" (or something like that).

LMAO!!! Yeah...thats what he said. I feel you brutha! You KNOW I do!

[Erzulie Danto]

This is another AfroNinpo rant that I'm sure some of you will feel...

But y'all know what sent me over the edge this morning??? One of my coworkers said..."You're so militant that you seem like you'd date a white girl!" What the f**k!...and I continue, "I'm not saying that to be funny, it's just that you're so pro-black, and all these so called pro-black brothers be dating white chicks!" Awwwwwwwww HELL naw! I'm done! WA...come slap this sister for me! (I know James, I know Sunship, black on black violence is not the answer....but this sister needs a book...hardcover...thrown at her head...at a high velocity!)

Brother AfroNinpo, maybe i'm being dense, but there are too many so-called conscious and/or militant brothers who do in FACT date and/or marry white women, we've talked about this on this forum endlessly, right? indeed, some of our great pro-Black articulators have been connected to and/or intimate with white women from Fredrick Douglass to Frantz Fanon. perhaps i don't overstand the connection between foolish superficial "conscious" people and this sister's critique. she, like many of us, may have seen that contradiction enacted many a time. i think her critique is valid, not of you, but of the overwhelming hurtful contradiction that many sisters have had to reckon with. it is unfortunate that she at this point notes the inane connection between black masculine militancy and the desire for white women as an absolute or natural connection, thus apparently causing her stereotype you. nonetheless, her snide comment is not coming out of nowhere. so i think your reaction is a bit out of step. her comment could been opportunity to engage in sincere conversation regarding black women/black men dynamics... perhaps, perhaps not...

nonetheless, even though you apologetically defer to anti-violence as you promote violence, this sister here is not amused by any promotion of violence against Black women. esp thru the cyber-lips of an informed Black man, even in a so-called flippant or humorous means. conscious or not, this not the place for that, at ASSATA forums, contested zone or no.

lastly, i don't think we should work to police pro-Black fashion to only the thoroughly informed, Elisa, as much as we may want to. who knows who will be inspired to learn more about their own Black culture via the random Rasta with His Majesty's pin or the sister wearing the indigo head wrap with no clue of its cultural origin? there maybe a likkle youth out there who is inspired even by that superficial fashion "consciousness" to read, think, affirm her/his roots or perhaps that individual is just beginning their journey of self-knowledge and wearing that pin, cloth or t-shirt is more a personal affirmative act more than a public statement. and what are the class implications of such a fashion policing? who decides when one is informed enough??? and isn't cloth from Ghana, ours, and our Ancestors, does everyone need to read Nkrumah to know that, can't it often be intuited and felt? and if folks on the continent haven't been informed about Yaa AsanteWa, should we tear off their kente??? and also considering how conscious fashion is somewhat un-fashionable again (so many folks in BK for example are cutting their dreads, casting off their kente, getting multi-culti again) and since white standards of beauty and dress are still the norm, i can appreciate any Black person rocking African centered gear. again, i've seen the "conscious" wave unfurl and crash and recede, a couple of times now, so many i'm not so effected by its here today, gone tomorrow-ness anymore. i'm just trying to keep focused on the work.

but yes, overall, i would agree that folks is doing too much and too little all at the same time. and yes, its frustrating. so stay strong y'all.

peace.

[AfroNinpo]

Brother AfroNinpo, maybe i'm being dense, but there are too many so-called conscious and/or militant brothers who do in FACT date and/or marry white women, we've talked about this on this forum endlessly, right? indeed, some of our great pro-Black articulators have been connected to and/or intimate with white women from Fredrick Douglass to Frantz Fanon. perhaps i don't overstand the connection between foolish superficial "conscious" people and this sister's critique. she, like many of us, may have seen that contradiction enacted many a time. i think her critique is valid, not of you, but of the overwhelming hurtful contradiction that many sisters have had to reckon with. it is unfortunate that she at this point notes the inane connection between black masculine militancy and the desire for white women as an absolute or natural connection, thus apparently causing her stereotype you. nonetheless, her snide comment is not coming out of nowhere. so i think your reaction is a bit out of step. her comment could been opportunity to engage in sincere conversation regarding black women/black men dynamics... perhaps, perhaps not...

nonetheless, even though you apologetically defer to anti-violence as you promote violence, this sister here is not amused by any promotion of violence against Black women. esp thru the cyber-lips of an informed Black man, even in a so-called flippant or humorous means. conscious or not, this not the place for that, at ASSATA forums, contested zone or no.

lastly, i don't think we should work to police pro-Black fashion to only the thoroughly informed, Elisa, as much as we may want to. who knows who will be inspired to learn more about their own Black culture via the random Rasta with His Majesty's pin or the sister wearing the indigo head wrap with no clue of its cultural origin? there maybe a likkle youth out there who is inspired even by that superficial fashion "consciousness" to read, think, affirm her/his roots or perhaps that individual is just beginning their journey of self-knowledge and wearing that pin, cloth or t-shirt is more a personal affirmative act more than a public statement. and what are the class implications of such a fashion policing? who decides when one is informed enough??? and isn't cloth from Ghana, ours, and our Ancestors, does everyone need to read Nkrumah to know that, can't it often be intuited and felt? and if folks on the continent haven't been informed about Yaa AsanteWa, should we tear off their kente??? and also considering how conscious fashion is somewhat un-fashionable again (so many folks in BK for example are cutting their dreads, casting off their kente, getting multi-culti again) and since white standards of beauty and dress are still the norm, i can appreciate any Black person rocking African centered gear. again, i've seen the "conscious" wave unfurl and crash and recede, a couple of times now, so many i'm not so effected by its here today, gone tomorrow-ness anymore. i'm just trying to keep focused on the work.

but yes, overall, i would agree that folks is doing too much and too little all at the same time. and yes, its frustrating. so stay strong y'all.

peace.

So, I should accept this sisters 'critique' as you call it because many brothers have that fault? This was what she thought of ME based on what she thought of many others. Accepting this would be like me accepting a cop racially profiling me since the majority of arrests they make are of Black men. I do not, can not, and will not accept anyone's judgments of me based on their judgements of anyone else. Respectfully, sister, that is nonsense.

On the violence piece, we'll just have to disagree as many of us on the board do. I'm not saying that THIS was an occasion that would warrent violence, but I do believe that violence is often the best method of conflict resolution. Reform will not work for everyone. Some people just need to be taken out.

If we do not question those who wear certain fashions without understanding what their wearing cheapens the meaning behind it. That's like the white boys with locks. Just like the young brothers that walk around wearing RBG armbands not knowing what RBG is all about. It cheapens Garvey's legacy. What good does it do us to have Lil' Jon running around like a coon with locks? What good would it do to see Jeezy in full African Garb if he's still talking the same old bull? None!

[Elisa Keisha]

lastly, i don't think we should work to police pro-Black fashion to only the thoroughly informed, Elisa, as much as we may want to. who knows who will be inspired to learn more about their own Black culture via the random Rasta with His Majesty's pin or the sister wearing the indigo head wrap with no clue of its cultural origin? there maybe a likkle youth out there who is inspired even by that superficial fashion "consciousness" to read, think, affirm her/his roots or perhaps that individual is just beginning their journey of self-knowledge and wearing that pin, cloth or t-shirt is more a personal affirmative act more than a public statement. and what are the class implications of such a fashion policing? who decides when one is informed enough??? and isn't cloth from Ghana, ours, and our Ancestors, does everyone need to read Nkrumah to know that, can't it often be intuited and felt? and if folks on the continent haven't been informed about Yaa AsanteWa, should we tear off their kente??? and also considering how conscious fashion is somewhat un-fashionable again (so many folks in BK for example are cutting their dreads, casting off their kente, getting multi-culti again) and since white standards of beauty and dress are still the norm, i can appreciate any Black person rocking African centered gear. again, i've seen the "conscious" wave unfurl and crash and recede, a couple of times now, so many i'm not so effected by its here today, gone tomorrow-ness anymore. i'm just trying to keep focused on the work.

but yes, overall, i would agree that folks is doing too much and too little all at the same time. and yes, its frustrating. so stay strong y'all.

peace.

I feel you here Queen, no doubt.

i was pointing that since AfroNinpo was talkin about the arrogance of some "consciouss looking people". I dont know how generalized this is, i dont think this is the norm anyways. But, as I said, if you do wear Afrikan, more power to everybody, but DONT LEAVE IT THERE! or at least dont act as if thats all u need. Its all about takin steps forward, bein thru fashion, thru food, thru spirituality, thru the way you interact with the people, thru the way you talk to elders, politically,culturally or whateva.
The learning never stops.

[Elisa Keisha]

So, I should accept this sisters 'critique' as you call it because many brothers have that fault? This was what she thought of ME based on what she thought of many others. Accepting this would be like me accepting a cop racially profiling me since the majority of arrests they make are of Black men. I do not, can not, and will not accept anyone's judgments of me based on their judgements of anyone else. Respectfully, sister, that is nonsense.

On the violence piece, we'll just have to disagree as many of us on the board do. I'm not saying that THIS was an occasion that would warrent violence, but I do believe that violence is often the best method of conflict resolution. Reform will not work for everyone. Some people just need to be taken out.

uhm uhm brother, if you had really throwed something at this women she wouldnt have understood anything at all.

I respect the fact that you dont want to be judged for the flaws of others, but Erzulie just wanted you to understand this queen was hurted for some reasons, and you reactin violently or harshly would only have hurted her more. We should comprehend echother, feel echother wounds, not turning our backs but as i said before each one teach one.

[AfroNinpo]

uhm uhm brother, if you had really throwed something at this women she wouldnt have understood anything at all.

I respect the fact that you dont want to be judged for the flaws of others, but Erzulie just wanted you to understand this queen was hurted for some reasons, and you reactin violently or harshly would only have hurted her more. We should comprehend echother, feel echother wounds, not turning our backs but as i said before each one teach one.

Queen Elisa...I hope you understand, I never even considered violence toward this sister. I was being quite sarcastic.