For you, Trayvon, and for all Black kids in America

I do not know where to begin or even how I want to frame this message. I just know that I want to DO something. I have been blessed with many opportunities in life and if I don't use those opportunities to share my experiences or to uplift my race, then my success is in vain. To much is given, much is expected. Yes, I consider myself an activist. Yes, I believe in Black Power; and Yes, I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So today, I will showcase those three entities with discussing my views on the Trayvon Martin case verdict and the remarks I have heard from others within the Black community.

The Innocence of a Black Teenager in America

For those who share my skin color, being Black/Brown (as a race or skin color) is a hard ass job in the world. A job that offers no benefits, no retirement plan, and no entry manual or training. As we have seen countless of times throughout the world and more specifically in the United States, a person of color can walk down the street and with unjust cause become a victim of murder. Innocent with Innocence. Virtually the same word, but I will use in two different contexts. Trayvon Martin was an innocent teenager walking unarmed with a bag of skittles and a Arizona flavored drink. 11 days after he turned 17 years old, Trayvon Martin was killed walking to his father's girlfriend house. Not even considered an adult in the so-called "land of the free", Trayvon still had his innocence. I know some may scoff at me calling Trayvon innocent or having innocence with him smoking weed, fighting in school, or being a "delinquent", but on his last day on earth; he was still a child...minding his business...on his way from a convenience store. Children, including me, have done wrong growing up; have made mistakes. Who hasn't? 

From the line of Kendrick Lamar, "I'll wait...your rebuttal is a little too late." There are things George Zimmerman may regret as a teenager; hopefully as an adult he regrets killing an innocent Black teenager. 

The Verdict-NOT GUILTY 

For the life of me, I cannot fathom how justice was served today. Not Guilty...Really? But then again, why am I not surprised? I am not a lawyer, nor do I fully understand America's justice system but I have to agree with countless of Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook posts, "The justice system cannot fail those whom it was never built to protect." I don't understand the Stand Your Ground law, nor the statement Zimmerman used as self-defense since the 911 dispatcher told him NOT to pursue the "suspicious-looking" teenager. Not to pursue. Not to pursue. This statement is so ironic since Zimmerman did not listen, got in an altercation, was losing the altercation (that he pursued), and fired a 9mm semi-automatic pistol in Trayvon Martin's chest. Who cares if he was using it as self-defense, he shouldn't have pursued him in the first place! Like my father said, "he should have stayed in the car." So why is he free? Because not enough EVIDENCE beyond a reasonable doubt to claim it wasn't self-defense, but EVIDENTLY someone did die that day and it was the one being pursued, sooo how is that self-defense when Zimmerman initiated the confrontation? I'll wait...

The Social Media Outcry

There are three types of people right now speaking out on Social Media. Two of those types I can understand and respect their decision regardless. The two are advocates for 1. Trayvon Martin and 2. George Zimmerman. This third type I can not understand nor stand by and let such ignorant comments surface without speaking up. They criticize the attention of the Trayvon Martin case and wonder why it is national news when Black on Black crime happens everyday and "nothing" is being done to reduce the violence in these neighborhoods. Some are even creating jokes on this matter. Sadly, the majority of these critiques are coming from the Black community, which saddens and embarrasses me. If we continue to joke or critique the efforts once issues do become national news, who are we to become angry when society does not take us seriously? To add,  for those critics who are being pessimistic and wondering where is the justice all over Black communities in the US; let me ask one question: What are YOU doing to eliminate criminality among Black people? I'll wait...

Let me be clear: I am not advocating Trayvon Martin should receive special treatment since it was not Black on Black crime, because Lord knows the Black community has a problem handling issues without killing each other; but instead of complaining on social media about the increasing amount of crime in the Black community, be the voice to improve, not bring down. 

For someone who has studied Black street gangs for two years, and is currently writing a Masters thesis on LA Crips and Bloods, I completely understand the detriments of crime in our neighborhoods. This is one of the reasons why I am so angry and disappointed about social media posts. There are numerous grass-roots organizations and community groups who are fighting for peace and justice in Black communities. With this being said, for those who are spewing lies and ignorance about how no one is stopping Black on Black crime, educate yourself and join an organization in your neighborhood. And just a little background and contextual information: most Black on Black crimes occur due to the structural and cultural forces set by the racist societal system in America, so how about not only joining an organization committed to reducing the violence in the community, but can you also give a brother a job? I'll wait...

A Peaceful Solution

Sadly, Trayvon Martin was not the first Black teenager to be wrongfully murder and unfortunately, will not be the last. I have twin brothers who will be 17 years old next month and they are some big boys! I continuously pray for their well-being and to not become a victim of racial profiling. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and come judgment day everyone will have to answer to the Lord Almighty. George Zimmerman may be considered Not Guilty in America's legal system, but he still has to explain his actions, just like everyone else, to the Father. God knows Zimmerman's true intentions on that day. Although, I feel as though justice has not been served today, Zimmerman can never return to his old life and never be rid of Trayvon's blood on his hands. I pray for peace and reconciliation for both families. If you are like me and tired of waiting, become educated and get involved. Use this lesson for fuel to save another Black child from a senseless murder.   

 

Malaysia and Indonesia

Wow! It's been one week since I left the U.S. and so far it has been an amazing amazing experience. The entire flight took about 22 hours with a one hour stop in Russia (I actually did a video while in Russia which I will post soon). We (the ILAP group) landed in Singapore early Wednesday morning. When I say early, I mean EARLY, around 6 a.m. and the day had just started. We actually never left the Singapore airport...took a shower at the airport and hopped on a plane to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We stayed in KL for 2 1/2 days, and then proceeded to Bali, Indonesia for roughly 3 1/2 days. To say my days are running together is an understatement. 

Since I've done/seen so much in the last week, I will section this post by destination.  

Singapore Airport

If you want to visit one of the cleanliest, prettiest, and extravagant airports in the world, visit Singapore! Ranked as the World’s best airport at the 2013 World Airport Awards, Singapore Changi Airport has a lot to offer. There are so many cool features just in the airport alone, like a movie theatre,  a slide/swimming pool, and a mini fish pond/nature trail to name a few. The airport looks like and feels like an upscale hotel. Unfortunately, we stayed in the airport for only about four hours before proceeding to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, KL for short, is the capital and most congested city in Malaysia. There are many places for tourists to see, but they still have some Western stores and concepts. For example, KFC is really big there.  KFC and McDonalds are everywhere in the city.

We flew on Tiger Airways to KL and stayed for 2 ½ days. As soon as we arrived in KL, we ate lunch at a Chinese Restaurant called Eden. During the first day, we visited Putrajaya and the Petronas Twin Tower. The city Putrajaya is named after the first Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra; and the word “Putra” means Prince while “Jaya” means success. Putrajaya is not far from the capital and it is considered the Administrative Centre of the Federal Government of Malaysia. Putrajaya is a neat place to view with gorgeous structures and buildings. While there, we also visited the Masjid Putra (Putra Mosque); in order to enter the mosque you have to be properly dressed with clothing covering above the knees. Since everyone in the group had on shorts above the knees, everyone had to wear a robe which was so much fun and great for photos. From Putrajaya, we traveled to the Petronas Twin Towers which was once the tallest buildings in the world in 1998. It is now the 5^th tallest in the world with 1^st place going to Burj Khalifa in Dubai. This 88-floor towers comprise of an inside mall and Skybridge/Observatory deck; and of course we went to the very top of the towers! It was an amazing view and I felt a little off balance being that high up.

The next day we visited the Independence Square, National Monument War Memorial, Selangor Pewter, Batu Caves, Genting Highlands, and Petaling Street Chinatown. The Independence Square is where the tallest flag pole in the world (328ft) is located. Selangor Pewter is the world largest pewter maker. Pewter is a malleable metal alloy and this place makes ANYTHING out of metal. I bought a money tree while there which has 1 Malaysian Ringgit on each stem. The money tree reminded me of Kendrick Lamar and since I love his Good Kid, M.A.A.D city album and particularly the song-Money Trees, I had to get this souvenir. At the Batu Caves, which is a Hindu Shrine, we climb 272 steps in order to get to the top of the Limestone Cave and into the shrine. All over the shrine are cute little aggressive monkeys. I took lots of photos feeding the monkeys, which was a little nerve-wracking at first since the monkeys fight each other for food. DO NOT GET CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE. From the Batu Caves, we drove further out from the city of KL to Genting Highlands. It took about an hour to get to the top of the mountains where Genting Highlands is located. Genting Highlands is known as a City for Entertainment with its hotel, theme parks, casinos, etc. It has 10,000 hotel room and makes more than 1 billion dollars in revenue every day. While there we took a Cable car ride through the tropical rain forest; unfortunately for us it was raining so it was difficult to see the clarity of the rain forest. I’ve never been to a resort before but I’m sure Genting Highlands is the largest I will ever see. The day ended with a trip back to KL at Petaling Street Chinatown. It was very congested but also a lot of fun. Although, it is an area where people pickpocket so you have to be extremely aware and cautious. While there, I got called so many funny names when storeowners try to get me to buy their products. Baby, Sweetie, Beautiful\Pretty girl, Hakuna matata, and Sister were a few names.

On the 3^rd day right before we traveled to Bali, Indonesia, we stopped by the Instana Negara (National Palace). The palace is where the King and Queen of Malaysia live. I also took many pictures here as well and even got one of the guards to talk to me. As you can see, the trip to Malaysia was filled with many adventures but yet also very tiring. By the end of each day, we were glad to go back to the hotel (Radius International Hotel). Overall, the hotel was okay but interesting. My hotel floor smelled of soup and every night my roommate and I had to fight off the baby roaches. Ugh!

Bali, Indonesia

Bali, Bali, Bali, oh how I enjoyed this place. We stayed in Bali for 3 days and it was much more relaxing then the former half of the trip. By time we arrived it was near sunset, so we had an Indonesian dinner and headed to our hotel. The sun sets early in Bali (6:30 p.m.) and the sun also rises early (6:30 a.m.). During the trip to the hotel it was a lot of traffic with their only being two lanes everywhere around Bali. This is okay since majority of the Balinese drive motorcycles, even with children. The hotel we stayed at was called Kuta Station Hotel & Spa and it was a very neat place to stay. The entire hotel with exception to the check-in desk and rooms is outside.

The second day in Bali was the busiest. We left the hotel around 8 in the morning and first went to different Balinese stores. I bought some items for my family and a beautiful Batik painting for myself. From the shopping areas, we went to the Mengwi Taman Ayun Royal Temple which we witnessed something that the past ILAP (Internship and Living Abroad Program) groups never seen. There was a conference being hosted there among the priests and while leaving saw a procession of beautiful women hosting food on top of their heads for each of the priests. Before heading to Bedegul, a highland with a mountain scenery, for lunch we stopped at this place for Bali coffee tasting. What was so interesting about this place is the Kopi Luwak. Basically, Kopi Luwak is prepared by coffee beans from fox poop. We tasted a variety of coffee, one being the Kopi Luwak. I didn’t care for this coffee, but I did like the mocha and cocoa coffee and the rice and lemon tea. Next, we had a very tasty lunch at Bedegul and then went to Lake Bratan. From Lake Bratan, we went to another Monkey Forest where the monkeys were much more aggressive than in Malaysia. One of the group members got pee’d and pooped on. Ha! She also got one of her earrings stolen by one of the monkeys. Such a shame, I would have been too pissed if they took my jewelry. The monkeys would also jump on people, which happened to me quite often. One even pulled my hair which he or she must have thought it was food since I had it in twists. At the monkey forest, there were also bats, so of course I took pictures with them also. We stayed for about an hour before heading to the temple of Tanah Lot to watch the sunset on the beach. This spot also have many small shops for tourists. This was the last place we visited before dinner and going back to the hotel. The last day in Bali was an open and free day so I chose to go Kuta Beach for a while and catching up with family and friends on Skype. Later that evening we had dinner on the beach at Jimbaran Bay. By far, that was the best meal from the trip. Of course it was a seafood dinner, which is my favorite with crab legs, calamari, fish, shellfish, shrimp…yummm. It was sooo good.

The next day we left Bali and headed back to Singapore and met our host families. For pictures of my trip to Malaysia and Bali, click on the above tabs.  

The time has arrived

It is finally here. The trip I've been waiting 10 months for. I am nervous and excited,  but most of all at peace. I am ready to begin this adventure and start another chapter of my life and career.

I am currently at the airport, waiting to board Singapore airlines. I heard this is going to be a 30 hour flight. Oh geez. But we do have one stop in Moscow for one hour. The most interesting thing thus far is being in the international terminal and viewing the many different cultures and nationalities mingling together. This is already becoming a wonderful experience.

Once in Russia,  I will try to write again. But until then, pray for safe travels and a speedy flight!

Here is the Singapore group!

Summer Update

A month has passed...

Wow! I cannot believe almost a month has passed since I last wrote something in my blog. The last time I had written anything I was still in College Station, TX. Since then I have moved out my apartment, drove to Houston to visit family, drove to Dallas to visit my sister, and drove back home to Kansas City (along with my sis). It was really a road trip for me and one I have to do all over again tomorrow. I been in Kansas City for two weeks and now its time to travel back to Texas. It is always a pleasure being home, surrounded by friends and family. I really enjoyed coming home and wish I can do it more often, but now its time to travel back to Texas so I can catch my flight to Singapore. Just like it has been for most of this summer, the next couple days are going to be busy. Saturday morning I travel to Dallas; then the next day, proceed to Houston. I then  leave Houston Monday to start the final leg of my summer, my excursion to Malaysia and Indonesia. I won't return back to the United States until a week before my graduate courses resume. 

Singapore

Here is a break down of next week:

July 1st: Head to the airport

July 3-5th: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

July 5th-8th: Bali, Indonesia

July 8th: Head back to Singapore and meet my host family

July 9th: Start internship at Millionaireasia 

Here are a couple of pictures of Singapore online.

As you can tell I'm very excited for this opportunity and even more excited to share this experience with family, friends, and anyone else who is interested in my travels. This has already been an exciting summer (see older posts) and now it is about to get even more interesting. A family member asked me earlier if I was ready for Singapore and my reply was, "I hope Singapore is ready for me." 

Sweet Dreams.

No Limits

What a bore!

It's been a week since I left Los Angeles and I miss it! I wanna go back! (insert crying face)
The things I miss about LA are the people I've gotten to know and care for, the weather, communities in South Central, the beach, and just the atmosphere. I think I would fit well in Cali. Although, there are some thing I do not miss, such as the parking, congested space, and the traffic! But I can deal with it. Since I been in College Station, I haven't done much except think and miss LA. Coming back to CS, was a complete 180 from everything in Cali.

The first couple days being back, I did absolutely nothing. I needed a break after my adventurous trip and this gave me extra time to reflect on the past 10 days. This past week, I also met with my advisor to discuss the research trip and certain things I expected/surprised me about what former gang members stated in relation to gangsta rap music. My advisor also gave me ideas on how to expand the research experience into other projects I'm interested in outside of my thesis and gangsta rap music. There is so much I want to write and all from different avenues and aspects that I gathered while in LA. Much is to be shared and learned.

Since my trip, I've kept in contact with everyone I met and have had continued conversations with the former gang members I gotten to know. Today I received a call that someone was murdered last night in the one of the communities I worked in. My prayers go out to the neighborhood and to the family that lost a son, brother, and friend.

Although I received some disturbing news today, blessings are still amongst us. I also gotten a call that may expand my research to another level. One of the former gang members that I gotten close to, contacted someone he grew up with in his neighborhood (who is a gangsta rap artists) and the artist has agree to an interview for my research! This potentially may open doors for more networking and career opportunities.

I am so happy and blessed for what is happening in my life. I thank God everyday to be able to see my dreams unfold before me.

The sky is not even the limit.

It's So Hard to Say Good-bye

This was my last day in Los Angeles. Over the past 10 days, I've met so many wonderful people that at this point it's hard to leave and say Goodbye. This trip has turned out better than I could have imagined and not only did I learn and retain information for my research but I also gained friends, confidantes, and protectors in the process. In the future when I produce my thesis and further articles and chapters, I will make sure to accurately portray my experience and knowledge gained from this trip. I will not disappoint  those who opened their homes, neighborhoods, and hearts for me to see. The media has typically viewed certain areas and communities in a negative light without showcasing the positive attributes these same communities also have. Well, the stories and information I've gather will hopefully give a different perspective than what has previously been given. Although there is a danger element in certain communities of Los Angeles, this applies to any environment a person is unfamiliar with. There is not a greater or extreme caution needed when entering this part than any other neighborhood in the world that someone is not from. This trip has taught me so much but especially about "assumed" danger and "perceived" safety environments.

When I told family, friends, and colleagues about my study and trip to Los Angeles, everyone was worried about my interaction with (former) gang members and being in South Central. There was an assumed danger and that I needed to be careful. In all honestly, being around the former gang members and in their neighborhoods was where I felt the most protection and comfort. At the same time, I would not enter these communities alone or without the assistance of the area. This past week, I also had an encounter where I felt extremely uncomfortable and in danger. Where was I? Not in South Central, but in the Suburbs of L.A. (This was my weird, strange encounter I discussed earlier). Where it was perceived to be safe and protected, was where I was most confronted with uneasiness and fright.

The reason I give this inclusion into my trip is not to say I am naive of the danger surrounding LA Black street gangs and their communities, but to show endangerment even in the "safest" environments. There are people who are out to commit wrongdoing and crimes everywhere and in all parts of the world. There are also positive people committed to making a change and impact in their community everywhere and in all parts of the world. Even in South Central. And I will soon tell their story.

Got a plane to catch in the morning. Goodnight and Sweet Dreams.

The City

The blog I meant to post Wednesday, but got distracted and haven't had free time to write lately.

Leave the angels in the city...
Recognize my life, ridicule my fight/Give me fuel for the fire burning when I yearn these lights/ In the midst of the hieroglyphs my fingertips start to write/ Familiar with cartwright, cause I wrote that shot, I'm a raging bull...

This post is dedicated to one of my favorite West Coast hip hop artists. I was at the mall yesterday with a friend and we stopped by a smoothie stand. As I turned around I was looking in the face of someone I been studying,  listening,  vibing to for my research. The R.E D. album produced in 2011 is a favorite of mine and actually seeing the man behind the music had me speechless. I had to ask my friend, "Mya, is that The Game?" "Uh huh" she says, "He fine, aint he?" When I saw him and his kids, all I could think about was track 19, California Dream. I didn't say anything, must've been too in shock. Hopefully I will have another chance to meet him in the future.