A note to self

When I’m blogging I tend to blog about random things that are present on my mind. Sometimes my topics are super serious. Sometimes they are mildly amusing. Sometimes times they deliver moments of clarity. Sometimes they’re just glorified rants.  One thing that’s a constant is me writing from my perspective, keeping my integrity by refusing to succumb to gossiping about celebrites just for some blog traffic.( I do want some blog $$$ though) That’s nonsense. I'm trying to revive the lost art of conversation. Hence my coin phrase.(If Hallzies not blogging about it it’s not blog worthy!)  

I usually pull my inspirations from things I’ve noticed about others. This time I’m going do something different and point my finger inward. This one’s coming literally out of my neck of the woods.

I live in Des Moines, Iowa. I was just out for a little stroll. I was enjoying the nice weather. All the sudden I look up and see this graffiti tag. It read Black might be beautiful, Tan might be grand, but white is the color of the big boss Man.

I studied it for a second. I read it to myself two or three times. I said it out loud two or three times.  I made my mind up. This was racist and must not stand. I didn’t call a local news crew and report it. I took a picture and sent it to a sibling. I posted the Pic on My FB page and another social media networking site I’m a member of. I even showed it to some people I go to church with. SMH

Now that I’ve had some time to think about it, I wasted a whole lot of time worrying about it.  I never stopped to think that the person that wrote that might be a politically aware person of color and was attemptimting to make a deep point. The thought never crossed my mind that it could have been a really bored juvenile with nothing else constructive to do with themselves other than to deface public property or a homeless person off their meds.

What am I saying: I do this a lot. I point the finger. I judge. I don’t take responsibility. I jump to conclusions. I choose to feel singled out. I don’t take action. I blame.  In my defense it is a learned behavior among my people. I can’t get a job? The white  man’s keeping you down. Can’t get a decent education? Whitey. Can’t apply the education that you did manage to earn in life. bobo.  I can run it down it down all day.

THE Bottom line:I didn’t march in the civil rights movement. I wasn’t beaten with bats and clubs for being black. I wasn’t sprayed down with fire hoses. I didn’t wake up to burning crosess in my front lawn. I did however get called the Nword quiet a bit  and receive less than friendly customer service from time to time from local business establishment, but I digress.Even so its  still; pale in progress to all that fought, risked their freedom, and struggled for the luxuries that I have today. I didn’t have to go through any of those horrible things on a daily basis growing up. Yeah not even here; in little unprogressive Iowa. If you got the time to complain you have the time to strike a blow. Lead the charge! Demonstrate!  We live in the information age.  Your ammunition to fight this war is at the tip of your fingers. Litterally . USE it! Get informed. Get active. Get real.

This was really just an out loud letter to myself but if hit home great.  I can’t promise my next one will be a thunder moment like this one, but you better belive it'll be blog worthy.

I’m Hallzie. This my blog. These are my views.

 If hallzies not blogging about it its not blog worthy!

no more guns?

The toast, burner, strap, itchy, fire, thang, iron tool, wammy, stinger, thumper, pound, viper,  piece, steel, hawk, whatever the terminology they all spell gun. Guns have been around since the 14^th century.

Since the invention of the gun man has used guns to hunt wildlife, police territory, protect life and to take life.

The gun has become embroidered in the fabric of American culture. In colonial times it was customary for men who felt that their honor was sullied to challenge another to a duel by smacking them across the face with a pair of white gloves. Once the challenge has been issued the two duelist then walk ten paces in the opposite direction turn and fire. Then whosever not dead or lying on the ground mortally wounded was the clear winner.   

It would seem the American culture has always been fascinated with guns and gun violence. Our society seems to feed off the energy and mystic surrounding guns. Gun culture and violence is has been taught in schools for ages.  In our schools we learn about people like Jessie James, Wyatt Earp, and Billy the kid. They were all known gun slingers.  On the big screen you see the imagery in action adventure flicks all the time, the most epic cinematic movies depict gun violence.  Even though the actors that star in those movies do not direct or write the movie script. Their names are always going to be associated with that imagery.

We have a serious problem with guns here in the US. There being used on a daily basis by people to kill. Shooting deaths and injuries caused by gunshot wounds are astronomical. Every time you think it can’t get any worse here it does.  The Sandy Hooks massacre should have been an eye opener for how out of hand guns are getting in our society. Obviously it wasn’t because since then shooting deaths have been on the rise.

The second amendment grants a US citizen the right to bear arms.  Actions are currently being taken to stiffen gun laws. They’re purposing to place bans on assault weapons and weapons with high-capacity ammunition magazines.

The burning question is will it work? If the bill does pass; will it stop or cut down on the shooting deaths in America?  Can law makers come up with a bullet proof law with no loop holes or grey areas? If they do will what will be the penalty for breaking the new law?

Reflection: I do believe an individual has the right to own a fire arm to protect their selves. I do believe gun purest have the right to own guns for collection purposes. I do believe people that like to participate in marksman tournaments and go out to the gun range to buck off a few shots should be able to that no matter what ammunition magazine they have.

The bottom line: Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.  They can pass all the anti-gun laws in the US if they want. If a person really wants a gun they’ll get it. If a person really wants to hurt or kill they’ll do it. It’s not just an American issue. It’s happening all over the world.  To stop gun violence world leaders all over have to come together and say enough is enough.

This is my blog. These are my views.  

If hallzies not blogging about it it’s not blog worthy! tm

Dead right

OK just come’n off black history month. I consider myself fortunate for being a part of such prominence.  Every year I learn a new fact I did not know the year before about my people's contributions to this great nation. I must say I’m pleased to descend from such a proud beautiful race.

 Sometimes though I wonder why we do the things we do. Were such a beautiful race but sometimes we do and say the ugliest most reprehensible things to one another. What ever happened to black love? We use to be able to say I love you to someone of the opposite gender without being perceived as something sexual or even romantic. It was just a heads up to let the other person to let them know that you see them struggling and to let them know not to give up and that somebody besides god cares about them. Ya know I… love you brotha. I love you sista. Like that.

We use to be able to say hi or what’s up as a form of greeting. Nowadays if you say hello or even nod your head to another black person to acknowledge them you can get severely hurt or killed all together.

We gotta stop this man. It always trips me out. You spend about close to a thousand dollars to go out.(or a lil over 100 if balln on a budget..just sayn) The only catch is that you may not come back from your evening out in one piece because you felt the need to check somebody for stepping on your J’s. You’ll shoot another man down at an event because he’s sitting in a seat that you don’t own; the person hosting the event does not even own.  You’ll see twenty other unoccupied seats, but you want that one. That’s your seat. Why?! Beacause it’s a matter of principle. You felt disrespected.

  This is how that conversation about a seat will go. You: say brah you in my seat. Other guy: aww this you?  You: yeah. Other guy: my bad I’m sorry. You: don’t be sorry. Just get up homie. Other guy: aww hold on. Who the fuck you talkn to?  You:  talk'n to the nigga still in my seat.  Other guy: No respone. .bang bang bang.  News at 11.

They say you shouldn’t dwell in the past and that retrogression is a bad thing but, back in the day we use to be so happy. We use to be so less aggressive. When we did get into altercations the dispute actually made sense. Nowadays we’ll fight each other over frivols things like a parking space, somebody commenting on your timeline on FB or twitter,IJS.  We gotta get back to basics and knowing when to let it go.

Here are a few instances where you should let it go.

Somebody brushed past you in a crowded loud night club. Let it go. They're drunk. You can’t hear the apology. They can’t hear you demand one. Let it go.

You’re in the grocery store and somebody sees you reaching for an item and they basically snatch it out of your hand. Let it go. If they want the last pack of store brand hotdogs on sale that badly let them have it. Those hot dogs will probably be breakfast for them.

You’re in a gang. You’re at the mall and the opposition throws up their gang sign to your side. Let it go! Mall. Kids. Old people. White people. Security cameas, Security guards, off duty cops.(figure it out) Let it go dumby.

You’re at work and somebody drinks your beverage out the cooler. Ahhh Idk bout that one.

In closing: We’ve come too far as a people to fight and kill each other over stupid things. We got to start using our heads and explore alternate options to defuse a conflict. Nowadays people always say I’m living that life. What’s that life though? Going to jail for shooting a person over a pair of sneakers that the person who designed the sneakers does not even ware? Hmm?!

We can’t always win at everything. When people of any race argue there is bound to be one person that is right and one person who is wrong. How far are you willing to prove that you are right?

This is my blog. My opinion, My views.I’d love to know what your opinion is. leave a  comment, follow, like, forward,tweet, G+1, add to your Google circles. Whatever you do just check me out and remember that this is a blog worthy topic… and remember.

If Hallzies not blogging about it it’s not blog worthy!tm