Lupe Fiasco



 

Lupe Fiasco for President!

-A Message to the Voters/Non-Voters-

 

With the Presidential Election underway I've come in contact with many People who don't Vote and aren't involved in the Political Process. Cool. I definately understand how they think. What I don't agree with is the apathy that accompanies non participation. In otherwords, although they can give you a laundry list of reasons why they don't Vote and aren't involved in the Political Process, rarely do they share even a few concrete, practical alternatives to not Voting or not being involved in the Political Process. It always leaves me wondering just how much thought they really put into Politics (The Science of Power) and the Political Process itself. It also leaves me wondering about their concern for the many People who actually share their sentiments... Without having any concrete, practical alternatives to an Ideology, Program or Political Structure we don't support, we consequently support that Ideology, Program or Political Structure by default. For example, if we don't support Public Schools because we claim they suppor the misducation of our youth yet aren't providing viable alternatives such as Charter Schools, Home Schools, GED Program and etc., then we're apathetically supporting the same system of miseducation we accuse the Public Schools of promoting because we ourselves have nothing to offer. Therefore, the youth are left to stay in Public School or drop out and fend for themselves. I can't speak for you b.u.t. I don't think those are very good alternatives.

The above paragraph exemplifies a common non-participatory approach I cee many People take towards 'unsolving' the problems we face. We often have a various creative ways of critiquing problems, pointing out flaws and articulating why we aren't going to support something yet invest little thought, time, finances and etc. in providing actual solutions. The next time you hear somebody explaining why they don't do something or support a certain program, ask them what do they suggest as an alternative. More often than not, you and they'll be surprised what they actually come up with. What you will find, in most cases, is that they never even put much thought into doing something about it beyond words. This sheds light on a greater problem than the ones you heard them pointing out in the first place.

One of the lessons I've learned growing up and that was reinforced through gaining Knowledge of Self is that it's not enough to point out a problem without striving to provide a solution. Growing up in a household with six siblings we were all responsible for taking responsibility and playing our part. There was always work to do and playing the 'blame sombody else game' didn't allow us to get the work done. Yes we tried and were usually unsuccessful. In order for our family to operate with some basic level of efficiency we all had to pitch in and help -whether that was doing dishes, dusting or have a sock party (where we'd all sit down and match the washed socks). Likewise, in order for our communities, cities, counties, regions and states  to operate with some basic level of efficiency we all have to pitch in and help too. Me and my siblings weren't allowed to get away with pointing out a problem and not striving to do something about it or not being held accountable for helping solve it. I couldn't imagine my Ole Earth or Ole Dad running around to put out brush fires, and there were alot, everytime one of us ran to them about a problem. Wisely they delegated responsibility to us by age and taught us to develop problem solving skills to address these issues ourselves. I'm thankful I got it and learned to further develop this strategy towards Life as I've grown and developed. I'm sure that many of us didn't grow up in this way and possibly the 'blame somebody else game' was a way of life in our household, yet that doesn't sentence us to a life of irresponsibility. As Adults we have a choice and if a philosophy or approach towards Life isn't working out for us we have the power to change that.

I would like to make a few suggestions to those of us who aren't voting in the upcoming Presidential Election or who aren't involved in the Poltitical Process as a whole. First and foremost it's important to recognize that your non-participation makes you an unwilling participant by default. You're still subject to all of the Governmental Policies and Procedures that are enforced on a National, Regional and Local Level. To simply choose to have no say (voice) or opt out in how these Policies and Procedures are drafted, implemented and enforced on a National, Regional and Local Level doesn't mean that you, your family, your community and your place of employment won't be affected by these Policies and Procedures. As a matter of fact, to choose to have no say (voice) translates into your 100% approval. If we don't approve then surely we should be willing and able to provide some concrete, practical alternatives that we approve through participation. If we haven't come up with anything we actually do or we can encourage others to do, then we're doing ourselves and others an injustice by having nothing to offer b.u.t. words. Keep in Mind that if it really came down to it People will drink mop water if there's nothing there for them to drink... So this is what I suggest to those who don't Vote or aren't involved in the Political Process:

1.) Do something about it. If you're not Voting or involving yourself in the Political Process then come up with some practical alternatives. When I say "practical alternatives" I'm talking about concrete activities People can engage in right now that will help empower them in a way that Government is supposed to. I'm talking about practices that can be implemented amongst those who share the same sentiments on a daily basis that serves the needs of the People. If you don't agree with the Governments Policies towards funding Arts Programs then do something about it by establishing an Arts Program or committing yourself to helping financially support Arts Programs.

2.) Network with those who share your sentiments. Network doesn't mean get together and vent, trade conspiracy theories or beat up on Fox News about what's going on in this Society. You're intelligence and their intelligence equals a whole lot of intellectual compacity to either change the System as we know it or set up your own. If that's not the reasoning or goal for why your congregating with eachother then what's the point? Personally I and many others may agree with many of your thoughts about Politics and the Poltitical Process b.u.t. simply because we got together and didn't do anything above and beyond talking, we feel no more inspired, educated or empowered about the future than before we met.

3.) If you're not actually doing anything about it then save your time and breath. I didn't say "going to do" something, I specifically said "doing" something. In my short lifetime I've been to many meetings to meet about something to plan another meeting about what we need to meet about. Years, Months and Days later nothing has changed and the same concerns exist. A simple rule I've learned to follow is that if I don't have anything to offer than I don't have anything to offer. Make sense? In otherwords, if I'm not in the position where I know for a fact that I can get someone employed, I'm not going to have a long discussion about how a person needs to stop hustling or sitting around not working. Usually THE FIRST THING People who are in positions will say is, "I don't have a choice" (there aren't any alternatives). And if you can't provide any alternatives then you are simply a part of the problem. I know you mean well and don't cee yourself that way b.u.t. that's what you actually are. Hey, you may be able to get them a job at Burger King which ain't equal to the paper they make on the block b.u.t. at least it's some thing. Something they probably won't have to always look over their shoulder, over the counter or through the drive thru to do. If anything, they'll at least recognize that you cared enough to provide an alternative for them beyond a mini lecture and you never know, they may follow you up on that! 

In closing I just wnat to emphasize the importance of being Proactive. Regardless if you choose to Vote and be involved in the Political Process or not, we all need to play a positive and productive role in our families and places where we live (communities) to ensure that it's a better place for us, our children and our elders. There are many things we share in common and take a vested interest in regardless of our Political or Non-Political stances and it often takes a shift in our Geopolitical landscape (Hurricane Sandy) to cee this and work together. So regardless who gets elected as the President of the United States, lets at least agree to commit ourselves to being Presidential in our families and communities. Lets at the very least agree to take more responsibility and be accountable for the change we desire to cee, not simply in words b.u.t. in deeds!    

Peace,

Saladin 

 



Studiousness; To Study

“Study to shew thyself approved” -2nd Timothy Chapter 2 Verse 15

What happened to studiousness? More often than not, I come across People in person and read some of the things they’re Posting and/or Commenting about Online and that’s the first thought that goes through my Mind, “What happened to studiousness?” When I was getting KOS (Knowledge of Self) during the pre-Google days, I’d spend hours in the library doing research on the Lessons I was learning. I was never handed a bunch of paper, told to memorize this information and then sent on my merry little way. Studiousness was the order of the day. On many occasions I’d build with my Enlightener until the Sun was coming up the next day and sometimes he’d wake me up in the middle of the night to build or quote a Lesson. I couldn’t stand it at the time, b.u.t. I learned to appreciate that later on in life -especially in an Era like today. So when I hear Ghost’s verse on ‘Rainy Dayz’ where he says, “Stood up late nights/build with my A-Alikes” I lived that out, taught and teach this way. Many Gods/Earths whom I know, that are usually the most studious, can relate to staying up late nights as well. That type of investment is a sacred bond and that level of commitment to another person’s life deserves the upmost honor & respect. This Brotherly/Sisterly Love is the cornerstone our Nation was built upon and keystone of our God Centred Cultural Worldview. As reflected in the sequence of our 10th, 11th and 12th Jewels; when we’re unable to give/receive this type of Love in a Relationship, we’ll never attain real Peace and true Happiness in our lives…

I was recently involved in a discussion Online about the importance of considering ‘Policy’ & ‘Procedure’ when effectively addressing National concerns and someone dismissed my point by saying, “Our Nation isn’t run like a Government.” The first thought that came to my Mind is that they're overlooking the 18th Letter in the Supreme Alphabet ‘Rule or Ruler’; words that mean ‘to govern’ and the role of ‘a governor’. This is the prefix to the word ‘Government’. It’s impossible to ‘Rule’ or even be a ‘Ruler’ over our own habits, desires, urges and challenges if we don’t have the ability to ‘govern’ these habits, desires, urges and challenges. Since this was overlooked then I’m also sure they didn’t make this correlation: Without a system of Government it’s impossible to effectively perform/reinforce the “Duty of a Civilized Person” (18/1-40) because there’s no formal structure governing Civil ‘Policy’ & ‘Procedure’. In other words, any Group of People without a Civil Service (Government) become Anarchistic (lawless/savage).

It was this incident and various others that further convinced me that many of my People, for whatever reason, aren’t being studious enough. And not only are we not being studious b.u.t. many of us don’t realize that this is the order of the day. Not because "I" (Saladin) say it's the order of the day b.u.t. because what we call ourselves (God/Earth, King/Queen, Civilized, Righteous, Just & True, All Wise, Right & Exact and etc.) demands this level of consideration. Another thing to consider is that Primitive Peoples had to learn (evolve) a system of organized Government and Civil Codes in order to become a Nation -as highlighted in the 2, 4, 5, 9/1-14. Their level of adherence to a system of Civil Codes defines/marks their level of Civilization. According to the 2 & 4/1-14 specifically, without this Knowledge an environment becomes a geographic landscape for “savages living a beast way of life” because there are no identifiable Rules (governing mechanisms). Did not Musa come to teach them “how to ‘live respectful lives’ and how to ‘build homes’ for themselves”? Well these are ‘Rules’ in the form of Social Norms/Mores and a ‘Ruler’ in regards to a Tool used to properly measure/build a shelter. So to even state that The NGE is not run like a Government reveals that many of us are still entertaining very Primitive ideas about Nation Building. The only problem with this lack of maturity/growth is when these People are content with this lot in life and aren’t striving to evolve.

Because Information appears to be so readily accessible Online today, many of the Gods/Earths who have gotten and are getting KOS in the Google Era aren’t doing the work by going to their local libraries, investing in resources or developing Relationships anymore. Many of these People are becoming more anti-social, alienated and disassociated from other human beings; which is the complete antithesis to learning our way of life (Culture) and improving the conditions of our Families/Communities. The sacredness of establishing a lifelong Relationship of Brother/Sisterhood has now turned into People thinking it’s all about you just handing them some information, downloading documents Online or talking on the phone. Learning to communicate a system of Principles and Values we live and die by has now turned into People wanting to learn how to talk/sound like us. From my short experience of being in this Nation amongst my contemporaries, I can boldly say that many of our Cultural Traditions/Customs are becoming loss. Their lack of transmittance to our present and future Generations also threatens what we’ve Achieved and are striving to Achieve as a Nation. Many of us today don’t even realize that we actually have a Collective Purpose or Goals we’re striving to Achieve. Many People think that ‘Getting Knowledge of Self’ means ‘Getting Knowledge for myself personally’ -even though someone made sacrifices and invested valuable time to share it with them…

So who’s fault is this? Is it the Enlightener’s fault for not being studious/committed enough to demand a level of studiousness/commitment in the People they’re so-called teaching? Possibly. Is it the so-called Student’s fault for not having the proper attitude about Relationships and demonstrating the aptitude to actually learn? Yeah that’s possible too. Is it our Elders fault for not stepping up to the plate and staying relevant by reinforcing our Traditions/Customs instead of being retired Builders? No doubt. Is it Gods/Earths fault collectively for not moving towards a more organized structure (governing body)? Absolutely. There is enough blame to go around for everybody b.u.t. ultimately WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE. We are responsible for what we claim to be (Gods/Earths) and we’re responsible to those who desire to represent these Standards and Cultural Worldview. If not, then Who? If us, then When?

In closing I want to encourage those of us who consider ourselves Gods/Earths, those who’re in the process of learning our Culture and those who want to learn our Culture to understand that studiousness is the order of the day. Many of our Cultural Perspectives are not being transmitted simply because many People are not studying. I’m not talking about knowing The Father’s born day, who taught who in Medina or why our Universal Flag has 22 points. Although History is important, it should not be used like it’s a game of Jeopardy. It’s likewise important to study the Lessons we were all taught to memorize/recite by heart. These Lessons comprise 80% of our Cultural Worldview; the mass from which we derive our Perspectives about life from. Our Supreme Mathematics and Supreme Alphabet are Numerical and Alphabetical Systems used to help us Compute, give Context to and Communicate these Perspectives. We can’t claim “Knowledge is our Foundation” and not study -especially basic words (concepts) in our Supreme Alphabet like ‘Rule or Ruler’ and then expect to effectively perform/reinforce Civil Duties (18/1-40) that support our Nation. We can’t claim Titles like King/Queen and not research the appropriate Principles (Policies), Approaches (Procedures) and Attitudes (Etiquette) that support our ability to uphold that Title. To be ‘studious’ means we must remain ‘students’, always willing to learn (evolve) in order to serve an even greater purpose to our Families, Community, People and the World.

Peace,
Saladin