My Jewish Brother

I don't know is where I've found myself on this road The negro street was a neighborhood off Fairfax The exposure screw'd me up; however, I'm cool I am alone next to the generously insane They think they know....

Influence of Derrida

Presently, I'm reading three criticisms: Post-Modernism, Deconstructionism, and Post-Structuralism, all influenced by J. Derrida. Post-Modernism represents his arguement against Husserl (excuse the spelling if not correct); second, deconstruction argues, or debases, the foundation of a particular idea; third, we move Post-structuralism into social power. Looking at society today, and the economic crises, post-structuralism may have a place within a close reading of a given text. Is it possible to do a post-structuralist reading to the writings of Robert Beck? Can one say there's an invisible hand that played a part in Iceberg Slims choice to pimping? Without a doubt! Man, to a degree, can be put into a situation where his/her actions can be predicted. Leave a man in a room with a live rat and no food. How long before he's forced to eat the rat? That's an extreme stituation; however, one can see the point. If we transfer that signification, and i use that rather than universal-into the pragmatics of todays society we can see how one is compelled to move in a limited direction.

The Monopoly on Islam

Why do we hear, throughout the local communities, the same voices narrating their ideas of Islam? I believe it is a type of rhetoric to keep the people, the communities, sleep. I think it would be healthy for the communities, as well as, healthy for Islam if there was a type of round table that allowed others to elucidate their opinion on the condition of Islam and where we're at....

Impoverished Model

I'm beginning, to a degree, to understand the idea of pragmatism. This notion of considering the model that we move on and its practical application in this life. What do I mean by practical application? The understanding of the faith we have an affinity towards and does it work? Is it primitive versus progressive? Reading Professor West....

A Meditation

I haven't written to myself in a while, which may reflect a degree of chaos. I'm reading several books working to deconstruct the memoir. Two of the books I'm reading are Sadaawi's The Daughter of Isis, as well as, Edward Said's Out of Place. We anticipate doing our final on the latter. Sadaawi's work really has to a degree pulled me in. I haven't touch'd on the affinity i have towards it. I do want my daughters to find their voice, their space, in this life, and Sadaawi with her entrance into the world came with resistance....

Where is my fight?

The question was asked to me, "Should the Muslims build a masjid at the site of 911." My first thought was what group, meaning Afro-American or immigrant, was responsible for the endeavor? I believe it to be an insensitive move. If I'm a black man in American, and the condition of blacks is what it is pertaining to education, unemployment, incarceration, and so forth, when I become Muslim does my fight become Iraq or Afghanistan? Has the civil rights movement ended for black America? Have we gain'd the equality that we've been striving for subsequent to the emancipation proclamation. I understand the ideal of Islam; however, there exist the ideal and the real. I believe the Muslims strive for the Islam represented in the stars and trees which is something they will never attain. We as blacks are an undeveloped group and have not addressed completely the condition of our psyche even with coming into Islam....

Liberty or Death

My Modernism influence says the title has nothing to do with the piece. We're pondering on the idea of an individual truly wanting peace in their life. What is it that will not allow an individual to let progess happen? I understand one sabotaging his own success; however, I believe one can become healthy psychologically; atleast work towards it consciously. To not want to bring drama to one's life; to want to aid and assist....