I DEFINITELY agree with all the statements posted (as off mark as some may be). The real issue isn’t the children or the parents. The issue is education. If “WE” as a people aren’t mentally equiped to present ourselves as a positive force in certain situations, how can we expect to make a difference. You can have a “MAN OF THE HOUSE”, but if this individual doesn’t know the formula to being a role model, father (face it, how many of us grew up with ours), disciplinary figure, provider, emotionally supportive, ect how can we expect anything but for the cycle to continue. I have a son, and one on the way. I had to actually HUMBLE myself and look for help in being the NURTURER to my child in every aspect that I consider myself of being today. Yeah, it’s easy to say we can all do this, or we should be like this. How about we first extinguish the “CRABS IN A BUCKET” syndrome that’s been woven into our moral fiber. I don’t know if there is an resolution to this problem as a hole. With our youth being so far gone, I fear for my child. I’m not raising him to be a gladiator, he’s going to be a thinker. I’m not going to beat him into submission, nor will his mother. I understand, SPARE THE ROD-SPOIL THE CHILD. When your only course of action in controlling your child is to whip him/her, then you’ve gave in to your own frustration. If you can’t psychologically out think (manipulate) a child into doing what’s right, and raising him/her with the morals that were instilled in us by our grandparents, then we have already failed.

Now as for the development of our inner city neighborhoods…(Ghetto; an area of a city lived in by a minority group, especially a run-down and densely populated area lived in by a group that experiences discrimination) As true as this definition may be, that doesn’t make the definition correct. When growing up, that isn’t quite the picture I got of my neighborhood (South Central, Los Angeles). I mean really, “DA HOOD-DA GHETTO, both are derogatory terms if I ever heard one. When striving in the professional world, you get NO cool points for being from,”DA HOOD”. Yeah sure, it would be nice to get development funds to help improve things, but who are we kidding. Look at POST Katrina New Orleans!!! Then we want to look at artists to assist in development, are you silly? Majority of these guys can’t manage their own funds, let alone smartly invest into something while being asked to look at the long range benefits. Why do you need to walk around with THOUSANDS of dollars in your pockets at all times, then wonder why trouble is hiding around every corner..Let me go, I can go on about this one all day…LOL Unity is a desired taste for those tired of walking alone. Much love from Italy

I would like to thank Vinny for stepping up to the plate and speaking the truth that most don’t want to hear or listen to. Also, Realist speak on it. Don’t hold back and share what you have learned with others.

Well said Vinny, I hope the kids are reading this. Lets take our family, our hood, and our PRIDE back!!

In other news~~> Jasonofbh.blogspot.com

Now this is the kind of message that works for our communities, more than Bill Cosby speaking on a soapbox in front of the choir. Vinny is basically saying the same thing Bill has, but it comes out of the mind of someone who was once in that lifestyle and who is apart of the hip-hop community and generation.

Great post Vinny! I pray that this blog reaches many people, especially our men!

YOUR MIND CAN’T COMPREHEND A PROBLEM IT CAN’T SOLVE… I’ve noticed a cycle regarding out inner city neighborhoods. Before they were considered the GHETTO, the very streets we occupy were once considered to be the suburbs (before the migration began). (Suburb; a district, especially a residential one, on the edge of a city or large town) How can the term defining a place change simply because the occupants have? I’ve done a considerable amount of traveling due to my occupation (Hawaii, Maylasia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bahrain, DuBai, Thailand, Guam, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, France, England, Australia, Italy, Malta) and each and every one of these geographical locations have what we consider to be a ghetto. Some better defined than others, but ghetto’s nonetheless. Only in my home country is this habitat associated with race. Remember this definition? Ghetto; an area of a city lived in by a minority group, especially a run-down and densely populated area lived in by a group that experiences discrimination.. As an American reading that definition, African Americans instantly come to mind. As a businessman you expect me to take interest in a place like this? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!! The neighborhoods in which we reside are more lucrative with US gone. That’s just the simple truth. What was once a suburb is now a ghetto due to it’s occupants. Sounds crazy, the truth often does! In other countries there are people of all races living in the inner city (ghetto) amongst one another. Does that make a caucasian European a DISCRIMINATED on MINORITY? It amazes me to see how much is geared towards DEhumanizing (I know-I know, I made that one up) our race. In the eyes of the world African American men are a bunch of killers, rapists, drug dealers, pimps, and degenerates. Racism has evolved just like anything else, now it’s a subliminal and psychological battle we’re facing. Some might feel just because it’s not using the IN YOUR FACE approach any longer that it’s gotten better. WELL IT HASN’T!!! If we don’t have pride in ourselves, our communities, our women, our elders, and faith how can we expect others to see us in a different light. This is how the WORLD view “US” as a race, much bigger than just the States. Like I will ALWAYS state, education is the key. I’m not trying to be some left wing extremeist, I’m 100% American and LOVE my country dearly. I would simply like to shed some light on things from my perspective. If we expect others to take interest in our communities, we must make the first investment. I’m behind Vinnie 110%, but let’s all be realists (no pun intended) about the situation in it’s entirety.
Feel as though I’m beating a dead horse…In my opinion, the problem we have with our youth is that parenting has taken back seat to video games and HUSH gifts (if you act right I’ll buy you this). Another problem is our young parents. I didn’t have my first child until I was 30 years old, with a woman of the same age. I believe that in order to conceive a well balanced (mind, body, and soul) individual through conception, you must first allow your body to mature (even semen). Crazy as that may sound!!! I FEEL, that is part of the reason we have so many young mothers giving birth to mentally underdeveloped infants. My son is all of 18 months, potty trained, ABC’s and 123’s, mellow demeanor, but still a kid (hey, what father doesn’t brag about their son). I say that to further trust my belief. When you have a young mother who’s influenced by music, environment, peer pressure, and fads you have a recipe for disfunction. All those influences further promotes unstability, which is VITAL in a child’s upbringing. How can you deem it cute or acceptable for a young man to walk around with baggy clothes, corn rows, earrings, and timbs all while being 2 years old sucking on a pacifier? Ok, your child has good hair (his daddy is Dominican…lol), but you have to set standards early in a child’s life. With no structure or standards we’ll continue to breed the KIDS we have running rampant in our neighborhoods today. Sure, we may be able to reach a few of them (which makes it worth extending the gesture in itself) but you’ll have others who are so dead set on staying with tradition (my daddy was a hustla) that it’ll be more work that it’s worth. I’m sorry to say. I’m in no way saying abandon our youth, but most are in need of professional help. They are not receiving the tools needed to go out into the real world as productive positive individuals. Thus, what we have today. I need to stary my own blog….LOL OK, I’m done venting. Much love from Italy

i no thats rite maybe pepole wud read it an then understand that is a time to play an its also a time to be real

This was awesome….what is critical to note here is how well he has educated himself on not only the problem, but real solutions. He has expressed some accountability in the music and is LEADING BY EXAMPLE. He is doing his part to engage policymakers in the decision making of creating solutions. His is an example, we should all follow.

danna “djdannak” kiel

I have already commented, but I just want to add that Vinnie’s call to action is also critical because it is not only a call to everyday activists, advocates, parents and business leaders; but it is a call to his peers in the industry where the sphere of influence is deep and wide.

all love
danna
http://www.djdannak-changeisnow.blogspot.com
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/djdannak

Realist,

I agree with you 100%. But your comment about “inmature semen”; now that’s profound. The more I think about that, the more I think you may be on to something that not even the medical realm has considered that I know of. I think you should immediately direct this thought to the medical realm for research, consideration, and dialogue.

I love it when a couple people get poetical and go on about how they would love to see change but don’t get off their @$$es to fix anything. For all I know realist could be a horny playa in his real life (I’m sure he’s not) and I’m not talking about Vinnie, or anyone here for that matter, because I don’t know anyone here to be able to judge. That being said; Should I analize our situation? No! Why? Because every single black person in america knows what is wrong, man, even kids know what wrong. Vinnie gave some examples and so did realist, but what are people doing to correct it? Hmmm, I’m only one man… How can I change society? DO YOUR PART! In your little corner of the world. Educate your kids and maybe their example will leak out. Get together with other people and start a basketball team in your community, keep them kids busy… As for hip hop artist giving back to the community, they’re busy spending their money on other meaningless things, why should they bother about other humans? Life gave them what they wanted, why should they share it? That’s most of the mentality, most of them only give money to charity because it provides a tax break. It’s the sad reality. I’m hoping and praying our long over due and brand new President will inspire our people to better themsleves and those around them

Big up to what was said. I’m reading you guys both as a foreigner (I’m a Black French West Indian) and as a brother. You don’t imagine how much hip hop has done for people all over the world. It gives strength to believe in better days. It gives instructions as to how to fight against the evils of our 21th century society. It’s true that some of hip hop artists today are really disappointing because of the lack of depth in their work but one thing is sure. Hip Hop has got what is needed to bring changes. If hip hop moves back to teaching and raising consciousness, things will change. Especially since you’ve got a black president.’We’ ‘ve got a black president. All of you African – Americans are role models for black people all over the world. That’s something you’ve got to be proud of. I do believe that one day you’ll find a way to make black people even prouder of what they are. Peace

Well…he “told” us! That was good to hear/read. Maybe this will persuade others to “man-up” and we can all get back to really loving ourselves and each other properly.

Dear PaPiTai,
Besides what I do in my Church,
I do my part by the way I treat my wife in the presence of my 5 yeay old daughter ( respctfully, compliments, hugs etc.) I do my part in what I depart verbally and visually onto my lil nephews and neices, on both my side and my wife’s side of the families. When I am out and about, I carry myself with dignity, restraint, and self respect. My pants are held up on me with a belt. When I did wear an earring, it was an earring meaning only one in my left ear. I smile, and acknowledge all people, including young kids, as opposed to ingoring them. Even when the few kids in my neighbor hood see me go to and from my mailbox, they notice a difference. They are probably wondering why I don’t dress like a lil boy, smile. Remember the old saying, “you may be the only Bible someone read”. I hope I didn’t come off sounding arrogant like a Kanye West, LOL. Just thought I’d share with you PaPiTai

Dear PaPiTai,

Our 5 year old daughter as opposed to mine. My bad.

stop hateing vin we all know you aint make money in the music side i seen your house on cribs clean it up

Dear Mark,

So Vinnie is just “hating”according to you. He’s not speaking the truth? Perhaps you are one of them Frank Lucas ( original gangster) who gets his blood money out of the madness Vinnie speaks of?

Rtest,
Vinnie is a personal friend of mine and came into the entertainment biz when artist were not as business saavy as is today, however Naughty By Nature was one of the first with a clothing line, and other investments outside of music. I am not sure why Mark says he’s hating when Vinnie is clearly talking about self love and community love. I do not want to veer from Vinnie’s point but you mentioned Frank Lucas. Frank Lucas is not an original gangster, he is an original rat, who decided to change his tune after he got caught and could not find any more people to rat on because nobody would do street business with him. Frank Lucas is a coward who could not live up to the lifestyle he committed to. This is more of a comment which should be on an American Gangster blog (which my story was featured in the second season), so I will try to bring it back on Vinnie’s topic. Vinnie’s point is well received by me and I believe we have to become more involved in the community we live in or from where we came if we want to make a difference in the crime, violence, and prison rates. We have to stop trying to rely on the police to make a difference in our communities. Without crime, they would not have jobs, so do you think they really want your neighborhood clean. We have a black president in office but he did not come with a magic wand. What he did give us is a reason to feel good about ourselves again as black people, similiar to the Black and I’m Proud movements of the 60’s and 70’s, but if we do not do anything with the new infusion of black pride and black accomplishment it will disappear just like the Black Power movement of those times. As Vinnie said in different words we have to take advantage of the opportunity to become personally involved in the change in our communities or we are going to just passively await the building of more caskets and more prisons for our people. The streets are out of control and it reflects in our day to day living. We have to become more responsible for the change we want in our lives, our family, and our community and actively participate in making a difference. It’s not all about money, although money can definitely help change occur, but contribute in any positive form you are able, it all adds up. I think Vinnie is really on point here. Keep up the good work Vin, and I will be reaching out to you soon to join me on this prison outreach and stop the violence tour we are currently engaged. Keep up the good work.

Dear Chaz,

Hopefully you’re not suggesting that I spoke of Frank Lucas in a positive light? My point to Mark was/is, perhaps he (Mark) prefers the people in the hood to stay dumb down and ignorant because he makes money off of those people. In other words, Vinnie’s enlightening them could cause him to lose money. But speaking truth is not “ratting”. My Father says speaking the Truth will make you free, not a “rat”. And I am thankful to my Father that “Frank Lucas could not live up to the life he committed to”. I do not know Frank Lucas, but according to him he regrets what he used to do. And if that is the case, he is free.

Rtest,
I have your point to Mark and understand where you were at with that, however, I don’t know about Frank Lucas speaking the truth, and I definitely disagree with you on him not being a rat. Frank Lucas is a traitor, and a traitor to me is a rat. Let me ask you a question, what would you call a US soldier who was fighting in Iraq, if captured by the opposite forces, was interrogated and told during interrogation that he was fighting for an unjust cause, and that he should help himself, avoid torture, etc. and tell them the position of his platoon and any other US military positions that he had knowledge of. For that information he would be released and avoid any further torture and be able to see his family again. The soldier gives up the position. As you say it’s the truth and will set him free, but the entire platoon is killed as a result of his truth telling. What do you call this soldier who committed to serve, fighting in a war he may not even understand, but knew the military edict that if captured by the enemy, only give up your name, rank, and serial number. i call him a traitor. Or what do you call a DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) officer who is working undercover in Mexico fighting the drug cartels, and is captured by one of the cartels. Under interrogation he gives the names, identities and locations of other federal agents working undercover in Mexico to gain his release. The agents he compromised, are located and murdered. What do you call the agent who told the truth that set him free. I call them both Frank Lucas!