I am a human being

I take this time to say to all of those who will personally take time to be a part of history – the romantic souls who brave the elements and wave on the steps of the Capitol and the Lincoln memorial, to soak in and live and appreciate being a part of history. Even those who were fortunate enough to stand along the rail tracks and hold their kids in their arms and just wave in admiration and respect to the rail cars that transported the President elect and guest to the stop block at Union station.

This is for me a proud time, for my love of history in person has never experienced such an event since the day I saw Memphis burn and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated as a 6 year old child. I take pride in this person as a man, as a father, albeit I am supra critical of him as a politician as I am all politicians that proclaim to serve the people first, over party and financial contributors. Yes the 44^th president of this great country has inspired me and I hope he has inspired other, especially to be more than fanatics and drum beaters.

There will be no perfect union, but to dream of such is what is admired, unless it is only a dream deferred with folks anticipating one politician can do the job alone. Such a precept is feculent construct from beginning to end. So in DC be safe for terrorist do not care about cameras in every pole. Be careful on subways for terrorist think and read more than we do. And do watch the man or woman next to you, for just as folks coming to celebrate others are coming to rape, take and pillage. We must be able to realize that pick pockets and strong-arm robbers see large crowds when you may not; that one mans celebration is another mans pain.

I took some flack for the previous post, but I was taught that I would by my parents and grandparents who said that free thinkers make other think, even about things in times in which elation makes them ignore – for thinkers never forget. Obama has shown us that anything is possible, that thinkers are a dying breed but yet invaluable, and that elation can often get in the way of pragmatism: we can look at the populous when Hitler was elected to see such if history is of value to us. Yes I am a pragmatist that leans towards optimism but such does not abrogate my compassion and interest or concern. I was also taught that the reality we share with other, albeit not equal to truth – can offend those that want to hold back that which cannot be restrained – truth and time. For I write what I think and feel, objectively with intent to only express what I think for as I have written before, dick riding aint my thang, and I write my conscious as opposed to what I think people want to hear. I think writers do not care what other thinks of their thoughts for they will accept openly criticism and praise equally. . America is not in a vacuum; our economic problems show us such, as the manner in which the world celebrated when Obama was elected. We should honor this worldly applause and feel the pain abroad equally.

When I see the children in Gaza, I see my two kids, as a single parent that I love unconditionally and desire the best and no harm directed towards them. I see children, and although this inauguration is historic, I relic such yet feel pain for others, especially children who are thinking about things more important than a celebration. Life is not isolated for men, for your child is my child even if they are across the oceans. I am man, and I am a descendant of Africa, and I am American. But that aside, all of the aforementioned are secondary, for I am a human being first and foremost. As such I think human thoughts, and do not separate pain or elation over reality. Just because I am celebrating does not mean I think others are for in many cases they are not. I am human being first, what are you? For I can celebrate and feel pain at the same time. This is raw dawg buffalo, not cute lil kitty cat.

my dear Watson

It has come to pass that times are perilous, and that men and women both must remove the mask of fear and inaction just to persevere. What many of us take for granted. I say this just as a reminder and for the purpose of releasing what is contained within my heart. Many of you know that I am an avid reader; I mean I will read anything. I have a many favorite authors, writers, historians and philosophers among others. However, one of my favorites included Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle. Many folks know of him as the creator of the famous Sherlock Holmes.

In his books, of which I am sad to admit I have only read three, he painted a vivid picture of intellectual prowess and thought. His words seemed to float off the paper. A physician by training, he was able to show what scholarship and passion could produce in the written form.

I use this as an example because it is my desire to express as detailed and briefly as I can the significance of thinking and problem solving and caring in this new frontier that we may be on the edge of as citizens of these United States of America. We must be prepared for the unexpected for as we know, often history repeats itself. I am not asking for much, just time and effort and a setting of new priorities, for change is inevitable but only if we as individuals accept and deal with the harsh reality that confronts us.

In Atlanta, there has been an increase of armed robberies, break-ins and muggings. Folks seem to be so desperate that there has been an increase in muggings and purse snatchings. On some streets, particular in the Atlanta University Center and downtown Atlanta, you can walk up and down the side walk and see piles upon piles of shattered car window glass from break-ins. Likewise, more and more people have begun to carry concealed weapons – just yesterday a man was shot by such a person when he tried to rob him outside of a restaurant.

Yes, our America has regressed; taken a step backwards. Yes, we need to be reminded that we are all Americans, and even more so, we are all human beings and that even in the worst times, we should force the greatness and good out of us at all and any cost. Now my moral compass may be shaky, but I do attempt to abide by good in so far as reason can calibrate such. But the future as it stands now may not be as stable. And it is based on a personal desire to be the best I can.

I am not a pedantic, albeit my essays and verse and assorted blog post seem to cover terse yet complicated subject matter. Again I am not, I just love truly the engagement of myself in thought, and in rumination in a diverse corpus of subject matter be it science, philosophy, economics, foreign policy or even human interactions. Now is the time for all of us to extract the same – to be as knowledgeable and understanding in as many subject areas as possible, for our personal success and existence may depend on such; maybe even our lives.

This brings me back to Mr. Doyle, for his characters in particular Holmes and Watson, demonstrated what the mind could do when well informed, exercised and even better, and expected to accomplish such via problem solving. Holmes was not alone in his brilliance although most folks may conclude such.

I used to have folk back in the day award me with accolades, saying I was rare, that I was brilliant, that it was a good thing and that the world was lucky that I used my mind for good and not evil. I sincerely appreciated those sentiments and even more, respected those who said such for in battle, I know they would die for me and that I would die for them. We must never forget that Watson was a genius in his own right. And for all of the Watson’s in the world, this beer, and tequila and hot sauce is for you.

all he gotta do is stay white

Yo, had something else entirely to post, but folk here be thanking on that incessant tip, and reading more than the average slave. Not to mention had a good day at the shop, plus Morehouse (my alma mater) home coming and the fact I cooked Rib-eye steaks, black eye peas and stewed potatoes.

Any who. I’m tired of this pomp and circumstance, of this bich shit, of the queries asking what McCain has to do, or even worse suggesting that Obama got this shit in the bag. Folk – two things: 1] cut your mutha fucking TV off and 2] RIF – reading is fundamental. Now why do I say this? Well because I figure that folks looking for ratings if u a TV idiot and that they want to keep the dumb dumfounded and questioning.

The way I see this shit mane, only a fool would ask a muther fucka some dumb shit like that – what McCain got to do to win? Jones, mane, the last time I looked folk was still in America. All McCain got to do unfortunately is stay white and don’t die. And that mutha fucka will always be in the race.

Nope, jones here aint being pessimistic, but rather objective. Since I feel that many folk so caught up watching the parade they cant see the man on the float with the rifle shooting at them. I know, it is sickening that most folks accept without question and don’t even have the mental faculty to question the what if, let alone interject the reality that history has evinced, Yea jones, don’t let the green grass fool ya. Next thing you know, you will ask your child if they got any homework, and if they say no you will say ok.

addendum: RAWDAWGBUFFALO RADIO - live next THURSDAY! 10/30/08 11:00pm 347-324-5722 call-In

also: Next Book Cover Here: Why I'm a Gangster and other Plays.

i cant b faded

Somebody told me recently that I was intimidating; that I can be a bit overwhelming and that they could imagine some folks shaking when they may first meet me. They also said that they imagined it took a lot before any person was considered by me to be my folk, but that when they do that I was loyal. My response was, “I am not intimidating Jones, I’m meek and the meek shall inherit the earth, I’m just Hanes Jones, panty hoses – no nonsense.”

I know that some are laughing at Jones for describing myself as meek, but in all truth-e-ness, I am. Yep, meek, and forgive me for as I write this I am listening to Bill Summers and the Summer’s Heat You can call it what you want to and beveraging outside of my shop selling stuff for dogs.

I say this for in my short and shallow life time, I have seen a lot and I have experienced a lot. From trying to find a cobra in my home and locating it when I lived in Nigeria to having to sneak one of my best friends in his home after being stabbed in a crap game over a side bet. From being interrogated inside a Nigeria prison and having to buy my freedom on drummed up charges for $200 US to having to deal with allegations of rape for me, as well as similar allegation toward my son toward his sister by the same mentally ill person who vowed to make his life and mine miserable, to feeling the cold plated pain of metal inserted in my gums in an attempt to rebuild my mouth after being hit by a car and landing on my face.

Yep, I have seen and experienced a lot. And none have any impact on how I view the world or the way I treat others, for I still love Nigeria and I still paid the rent for the one who accused me of raping her, when such did not happen, even as she attempts to use our daughter as a pawn. And I still eat neck bones and ribs albeit the pain in my mouth remains and presses the metal in my gums harder against what remaining nerves I have in my mouth. Yet still, I am kind and likely the kindest mutha fucka am folk gone ever meet.

I can’t be faded, no I am not from the streets, I am the streets as well as the world. I take life for what it is; an enjoyable experience that my cells applaud for as a mass we know the only certainty in our future is death. Add to that, as of now, I hope such a disposition is engendered by my seeds, for they are the only valuables I have outside of what I can create and dispense with my mind. So if some find me intimidating, that’s on them for I feel no matter where I am although it may not be true, that I should run things and that somebody has to be number one, so it may as well be me. You can call it what you want to. vote