A bag of multi-colored candies

One of the things that have always fascinated me since I was a kid was interracial love. I always thought that it was one of the coolest things to engage in. I mean it’s not cool to seek it out for the color factor alone. Yet if it came your way, why not go with it? There are some out there would never cross the 'color' line."Racial' pride...Memories of slavery....You name it. Yet there are others who would do it just because they found the person likable. Back in Washington DC and many cities in the northeast, you see a lot of 'mixed couples'. When you think of the word mixed, one automatically thinks of black-white hookups; But there are so many other kinds of hookups, it’s interesting; Black-Asian, Asian-Euro, Native American-Black, Latino-Asian, Black-Latino, etc. It’s like opening a bag of multi-colored candies. The combos can be amazing. Most interracial couples (And what is up with that term? Inter means between.....How can humans be between their own species? The term interracial would apply only if a human got involved with a being from another planet.....A member of another 'race) will be the first to tell you that they ignored their lover's skin color.

I don’t want you to compare it to someone being 'color blind'. There is no way you can miss the color of anyone's skin unless you were truly blind. The key word here is ignored. They saw the skin color differences, but choose to ignore them. That's kind of a wonderful thing to say when you think about it. I saw the skin color....but chose to ignore it. They will also tell you that once they saw past that superficial barrier, they were able to see the person within. Something about that person did it for them. Maybe it was their niceness, their personality, their smiles, their humor or their goofiness. (Hey, don't knock that last part. Goofy doesn't mean stupid....Just goofy! (lol) ).They saw really nice qualities that went past the skin color.

Summer is when they appear to come out in droves. Many of them make such nice couples because of those different physical differences .One of the most attractive interracial couples I ever saw was on the train one warm summer's day in the nation’s capital. It was a white man and a black woman. The man was a classically handsome blue-eyed blond and the woman was beautiful, dark ebony with pretty black eyes. The differences between them made them even more attractive. It was looking at humanity at its best; just two human beings enjoying each others' company. I never forgot how beautiful a couple they made. How happy they seem.

I mean if God made us in so many different colors and shades, he had to have a Master Plan. Or maybe he liked seeing his creations in different colors. Kind of boring if everyone had the same color skin.(lol). I don't think that 'interracial' love is problem-free, you know? Like most couples who are drawn towards each other, you're going to have problems. That comes with the territory. And with the added stupidity of 'race' and color added in....Still there is a certain beauty is such couples. It proves that you can't build a barrier high enough to separate people. They're going to find a way to get together. I have heard plenty of people who said they would never date outside their culture let alone outside their race. Whites top the list for obvious reasons (lol). Yet they would avoid Asians, Native Americans, and Latinos (Which still mystifies me seeing as how many Mexicans, Dominicans, Cubans, and Puerto Ricans look just like us. No one said anything about such attitudes making any kind of sense).That's their right.
But what is annoying is when they get on those soap boxes slamming those that do. It’s not your thing?....Not your cup of tea? Cool, just don't badmouth those that do. I have dated outside my race before and truthfully, I enjoyed them. You never know, I may still end up with one of them given how much bad luck I have had with the ladies.

And for those of you who think that it’s totally different to date a white person, it isn’t. the same is pretty much the same except this time she enjoys giving head, and she enjoys getting slapped, and getting her hair pulled. Lol. But besides that, the activities remain the same. We spent the time going to the museums, the zoos, movies, outdoor sports, the parks, and the tourist attractions. We also checked out the nighttime concerts in the park, nightclubs, pubs, bars, etc. I have nothing bad to say about those women because they each contributed something to my growth.

I'm not advocating seeking out such a tryst, but if one comes your way and you're free and available...Why not? Forget about all the bulls**t reasons for not doing it. Everyone should have at least one interracial encounter in their lives. If they did, then racism would die a whole lot sooner.

Racism sucks

There’s this sign down in Miami that simply brings a lot of joy to my heart. It simply says Racism Sucks. I am totally in agreement with the sign and its connotation. Racism is one of the worst things in the world and I hate it. I hate that s**t with the same zeal as Satan hating God.

Having taken a few History courses, I simply never understood the whole meaning of behind racism. I don't see myself hating or avoiding you because you have a different skin color or hair type. It’s just petty to me and I will not succumb to such level. Yes, there are lots of white racists, they have always been and will always be; there are also a lot mullatos (wannabe whites) who are also racist, and that also will never change. But your ass must be tripping if you think that racists only come in the light shades. Some of the most virulent racists I ever met were a whole lot darker. I know many of you who ain’t never been nowhere (outside of little Haiti or your little city) cannot believe such a thing because people of color don't control the power structure.

Uh huh…that’s that intellectual bullshit right there. You need to keep in mind that racism has nothing to do with the power given but only with personal viewpoint. This is not a defense of 'YT". No, it’s just a discourse of trying to get past the stupidity of prejudging without pre-knowing. It’s been holding us down, both black and white for way too long. It’s like a barrier erected a long time ago, but still here. Still keeping everybody apart and it continues to take its toll on a lot of innocent people from both side of the spectrum.

I have seen this since I was a young lad and almost 28 years into my existence, it is still relevant. I am sick and tired of this shit. I didn’t understand then and I still don’t get it now. I know many of you would like to think of me as an idealist who’s blind and also been brainwashed by his professors, but folks this isn’t the case. I'm fully aware of our history in this country. Fully aware of what we have gone through as a community. I'm just tired of it and I'm sure that millions of others on both sides of the fence are sick of it too.

You ever see small kids playing in the playground? You ever just sat and watch them at play? They could care less about what color their playmates are. For the most part, they get along pretty well. The racism comes later and you best believe that it’s not an inherited quality.

There is a famous song in the play “South Pacific”, You Gotta Be Taught How to Hate, that song is so true. Yes , some of it you may pick up in dealing with racist asses all over. Yet a lot of it is whispered softly or loudly in those young ears. The older generation really needs to put a damper on all that nonsense. But they won't. They will do just about anything to keep that fire and hatred going. You would think that after five hundred years of racism, we would get tired of it and let it go, but they’re not. So, how long can this awful cancer go on?

I'm looking at the cemetery in thirty years tops and it’s still depressing to think that it'll go on for another two centuries at best. I wouldn't want my son or future grandchildren to have to put up with this, but they probably will. I see it dying one day and no, that is not idealism talking. It'll have to die if we are to proceed as one race; instead of several 'races'. I would like to think of us as just one race; the Human race, who comes in many different beautiful colors.

Growing up on Maple Ave, our street was surrounded with ethnicity. You had the Italians, the French, and the Germans, the Ethiopians, the Hispanics and the many Africans. We all got along pretty well. My best bud in grade school Luis was a Dominican cat; and my best bud in High school Ish (RIP) was French/African. We ate in each other's homes, attended each other's parties, the kids hung out in the summer and had snowball fights in the winter. We had crushes on each other as kids and our parents laughed it off. We went to the same grammar schools together. I have a lot of fond memories of those years because everyone in the neighborhood didn't give a damn if you a Negro or a Blanco, you were simply you and that’s all that mattered.

You're talking about working class whites, blacks, and latinos who shared the same problems and same worries. You had no time to teach racism because you were too busy trying to come up with the mortgage and the school payments etc. You don't have a fistfight in a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. You figure out a way to survive until you either hit land or a passing ship found you.
Sometimes I wish some folks would simply let things be and embrace their surroundings. I know a lot of my Haitian people are racist too. The so-called white Haitians tend to be a bit booji but they too need to wake the hell up because they ain’t white. They’re just a shade lighter them my butthole, they too can go to hell if they feel like they’re better or more privilege that me or anyone else for that matter.

Racism sucks and the world cannot go on this way if we keep oppressing each other. We keep talking about progress and growth yet the biggest leap we can make is to negate all the nonsense that has kept us down for the past 200 plus years.
When I go back home to see my folks, it’s always nice to check in with the guys from Maple Ave. Some of them are doctors, lawyers, writers, NBA players, NFL players, and NHL player. We have had a bond that cannot be broken. Had racism been at the heart of our community, we wouldn’t have been who we are today. Our past connects us and it has been that way for many other kids from Maple Ave. I’d like to believe that Maple Ave is the most culturally diverse street in America. Maple Ave is similar to the UN summit.
The Moral to all this?.....It goes back to that sign in the window “Racism Sucks”.

It doesn't matter who practice it. Black, White, Asian, or Latino.....Bottom line?

Racism Sucks.

The Pursuit Of Wisdom

I have spent my whole life in search of knowledge. As the pursuit of wisdom, philosophy raises questions about almost everything except what it means to question in the first place.

So what is wisdom? Wisdom is defined as knowledge, understanding, experience, and being able to find solutions to problems.

Does everyone have it? Anyone can have wisdom; it’s just a matter of applying the knowledge you already possess to the greater good of those around you.

My pursuit of wisdom is infinite. As long as I am breathing, I will continue to seek it. I am very selective in the books that I read, the places I hang out, the people I engage in deep conversation with, and the people I share my time with. Everything that I do is part of my search for more knowledge; a deeper appreciation of life; a deeper understanding of my surrounding; and of course, learning more about the people around me.

I hope people do not confuse wisdom with religion. A lot of folks believe that we can only gained wisdom by reading the bible or sometimes they view the bible as the sole source of wisdom. I would like to dispute that fact. I just feel like the bible itself was written by a man; and yes it lays out a perfect plan for those who believe in the lord, yet I know that there are a lot of great self help books out there that have benefitted a lot of people.

I urge you to seek knowledge and a better understanding of everything around. It will surely help you in the long run. I’d love to write more about this but it wouldn’t you one bit. It would only be my experience and my own pursuit. So feel free to drop your thoughts and lets talk about this topic.

Mr Prodg.

Just a good ol feeling

Today is simply one of those days. It’s a good day. When I woke up this morning, I just had this special feeling. No, I didn’t none last night, so it’s not that. I am just feeling. No special feelings, just a good ol’ feeling. We’re about to hit a quarter of the year and so far everything have been exactly like I predicted, fucked up...so I have to give thanks for that. I woke though with a sense of focus and renewed energy and my vision has never been clearer. Somehow I wish I could this feeling to anyone reading this entry. At this very moment, whatever problems I am going through doesn’t matter to me anymore because I will no longer let my situation or circumstances dictate my feelings.

I’ve always been serious about my life; especially things and people I get involved with. I have made a few mistakes on that end but I’ve learned quickly who to trust, who to turn to in time of needs, who to count on, and most importantly, who to surround myself with. Just a few months before my 28th birthday and I finally got it; I am not going to react to any life events anymore. I am not waiting for any mishaps to happen in my life in order for me to get serious about things; I am going to create what I want to see for me and the people who count on me and go extremely hard from here on out. I feel good man. It’s good day.

One can say I’ve been spoiled a bit; I’ve had an easy life. I’ve always had good parents, good family members to reach out; so I guess in my adult life I have been spoiled a bit too. So to a certain extent, I allowed that to get out of control but that will no longer be the case.

I am walking around with one of those “I just hit the jackpot” attitude; it’s not even funny. I have no time to ponder of the break ups, the foes who pretended to be friends, the death of some good buddies etc. Pain is temporary so it’s time to move on to bigger and better things.

A good book and some soul searching is a pre-requisite of adulthood. My advisors used to say that in grad school.

I just now figured it out.

Mr. Prodg

Let's talk about EXISTENCE

Existence: How do you define existence? Do you cease to exist (if we really do exist) once you're dead or is it independent of physical things?

Great existentialists have pondered these questions for many many years now. One’s existence depends on how one perceives the world to be. I have held numerous conversations with people, who felt like they didn’t exist simply because they weren’t at the level they wanted or needed to be, or life’s journey has taken them on a different course than they had plan; either way existence isn’t a word that should be taken lightly.

Socrates, one of the great philosophers believed that the value or quality of one's life depends on understanding the principles of, or basic rationale for human existence; he believed that one’s life would lack virtue. So in order to fully grasp the term, one would need to understand what it means to exist. If I were to say, the Queen is hungry or the Queen is walking, it may be news to those not in the Queen's presence, whereas ‘the Queen exists’ would be news to no one who knew her, and merely puzzling to anyone who did not. The reality of it all is, we as human beings know what it is like to be hungry or to walk, but what we’re unsure of is, what is it like to exist, how does the experience feels? Saying i am hungry or I am walking is an action that can be easily emulated by anyone who’s physical condition will allow them to feel those things but one’s existence isn’t something we can indicate to anyone.

Now, I assure that I will not quote all the great philosophers that I have read about but I must say, most of the opinions from the great philosophers are very different from one another. Aquinas, Hume, Kant, Plato, and Socrates, they each offered a different outlook on that word and it’s very fascinating as you dig deep into the topic.

In "Origin of Negation", my main man Sartre tried to posit the beginning of human existence from a new post-enlightenment perspective (God is Dead we could say). What he thought was that existence pervaded wherever nothingness was not perceived. The idea of existence might now be so easily definable though. We could take the idea on step further into nothingness, and try to decide if existence is really a negation of nothingness, or merely a facet of nothingness which perception moulds to exist at a certain time and place.

So do we exist even after we’re gone? I’d like to think that we do simply because I feel like all of the things we learned or passed on to other people, even after we’re gone, they remain on this earth. So physically you’re gone yet the lessons, the advices, the things that we did while on this planet will never leave and that to me is still part of one’s existence.

So how do one define existence? It’s all subjective my friends. But I hope by reading this, you can begin to dig deep within and come up with your own definition of ‘existence’ and possibly you can come to grips with what it means to exist.

Mr Prodg.