KWICK 6 #019: History, Hip-Hop, & Individualism

Before I start, as many of you know, I work for the federal government. The views in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

🤔 Thought of the Week:

History repeats itself, and humans have short memories. In the past few weeks, we have seen campus protests and the familiar sentiment of "you can protest but not this way." We have also seen President Biden ignore voters' concerns and sounds like the person MLK Jr. was speaking about when he stated:

I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can't agree with your methods of direct action;" who paternalistically feels he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by the myth of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a "more convenient season. (emphasis added)

We have watched people be dehumanized and discredited. History repeats itself, and humans have short memories. Most people want to make an impact, maybe not globally, but everyone wants to be remembered. The past few weeks showed me why, so many times in history, education is attacked first before the destruction of rights. A distracted and uninformed citizen follows the majority, but the informed, aware citizen calls out the foolishness. Media literacy is essential nowadays because the majority of people can be different based on the platform. It is so important to curate your social media. Be willing to research and learn new things. Don't be uninformed for long.

💻 What I've Consumed:

Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake

Like so many people, I am consuming this beef. I admit that I am a Kendrick fan and biased toward his techniques. I was a Drake fan early on, but I haven't listened to a whole album since maybe 2016's Views release. He was in heavy rotation for the latter half of high school and early college. This back-and-forth has been insane. Euphoria and Not Like Us are my favorites from Kendrick. Push Ups is my favorite from Drake. I am interested in seeing the outcome of this beef, and I believe it has raised some interesting conversations. The result and implications probably won't fully be realized until a few years later.

Hip Hop & the White House

This documentary can be streamed on Hulu. It is about the intersection of hip-hop and its influence in the White House. It is pretty short, about an hour long. It's a broad overview of how hip-hop grew up and its intersection with politics. Because it was so broad and covered from the late 1980s to today, it didn't deep-dive into topics like the policies that hip-hop covers. It stayed high-level and covered some iconic moments, i.e., NWA, Sista Soulja versus Clinton, etc. I thought it was pretty narrow in scope and could have explored more. Since I do not follow many celebrities online or keep up with what they are doing, Waka Flocka Flame's views surprised me. Not necessarily because they are conservative but because he is uninformed. I am glad he was on there for a difference of opinion, but he did not do himself any favors or add any meaningful insights. Overall, it was interesting, but I am interested in discovering documentaries and resources that go deeper into this topic. I would recommend it.

Aces: Raise the Stakes

The Las Vegas Aces released a documentary following their championship journey last year. It documented the ups, downs, and challenges of going back-to-back as champions. I watched it on their YouTube channel, and the timing was great. It was released during training camp prior to preseason games. I think it is an excellent way to get to know the team and recap the last season. I am hopeful that more teams have plans for showcasing their players, and this was a great way to do so.

📚 Currently Reading:

The Attic Child by Lola Jaye

3% completed. My best friend and I are doing a buddy read on this book over the next few weeks. I'm looking forward to discussing it with her and, of course, adding my thoughts here. This is a story of two children in two separate decades who are trapped in the same attic. As a historical fiction, this book is out of my wheelhouse, but it is said to be a story about the human condition, which fascinates me. Some of the reviews discussed this as a book showcasing a different aspect of slavery, but I am unsure. So far, it is interesting as I am meeting one of the main characters and the family through the child's eyes. The confusion and naivety of the child can be felt as I read because you get no explanation of what is happening.

The Hexologist by Josiah Bancroft

51% completed. I'm on the verge of a DNF (did not finish). The premise of this book is so interesting. The mystery aspect keeps me invested, but the book is boring in a lot of parts. The writing is descriptive and whimsical. It reminds me of a fairytale in its prose, over the top. However, I'm stuck between seeing how it ends and quitting the book. The characters Iz and Warren are okay. Even at this point, they seem more flat than fleshed out. Iz is stubborn and has a one-track mind. Warren appears to be brawn mixed with sweetness but is really around because of his love for Iz. They flip the stereotypes of men and women, but the story does nothing interesting about that aspect. Their dynamic is fine, but I feel like the story is simultaneously moving and at a standstill.

Caliban's War by James S.A. Corey

3% completed. I am so excited to get back into this world. It's been sitting on my bedside table for a while, and I am finally making my way back. This story is book two in the Expanse series. It starts off with a bang, just like the first book in the series. The authors mix a little horror in the opening chapter. I am looking forward to a fast-paced space opera to balance The Hexologist.

💡 Lessons Learned:

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis

I recently completed this book, and it took me much longer than anticipated for various reasons. I think this is a good introduction to Angela Davis's ideals. It definitely made me more curious about her upbringing and her time with the Black Panthers. This book is a series of interviews and speeches in which she discusses sexism, racism, freedom of Palestine, and other relevant topics. Davis is a lifelong activist who keeps her finger on the pulse of what is going on with the next generation of activists. She also focuses on the intersection of oppression. You can tell she has and is thinking about the topics she speaks about deeply. What stood out to me was a quote on page 118 that stated:

You see, we think individualistically, and we assume that only heroic individuals can make history.

America is a very individualistic society, and when we are taught history in school, we are teaching the individuals. We rarely talk about the minute details of a movement, but we talk about the ones that are deemed acceptable. For example, Rosa Parks was not the first or only woman who was arrested because she wouldn't move, but she is the one we are taught about. Teaching about the one but not the many instances that inspired her. The Civil Rights movement of the 1960s was not just about MLK Jr. but also about the Black Panthers, SNCC, and so many others who took part. The collective is what made the movement effective.

Since this book is a collection of conversations and speeches between 2013 and 2015, it can get repetitive. But it is so timely right now. Reading this put so much in perspective, and I would highly recommend it.

If you need some recommendations, check out my Goodreads or StoryGraph. And then follow me on Instagram and Twitter. One of my favorite newsletters to read for current events is Morning Brew. Check it out.