What's Up with the Ghetto?

Most people don't give a damn about the ghetto/hood/block . . . whatever cute euphemism is being used this season. The number one reason is the fear of imminent death. We don't really care about the danger anymore. We know that by simply driving through some of these neighborhoods at the wrong time of day we'll be toast!

We watch the evening news and see "Pookie", "DayDay" and nem being marched off to jail for . . . something. It's so common place now to see some of these scenes that we have become immune to the reason for the broadcast. We assume that if it's "that" neighborhood, they had to do something wrong.

Well, I am ready. I am ready to hear from the inner city. Apparently the mainstream is not tuned into the needs, wants and desires of this segment of society. So, I am not just ready to hear what my brethren have to say, I'm ready, willing and able to help them find some solutions to make some changes. Why? Because there but for the Grace of God go I. And most importantly, it's time for some of this stupid shit to stop!!

I am the product of the ghetto. I think that was the phrase in the 60's. Just the mere mention of the word Ghetto in some circles today will make people cringe. I use this term because there are more psychological implications to this mindset than any hip hop artist could ever rap about.

My observation of my place of origin (New Orleans, LA - 9^th Ward) was the mindset of many people in my hood. People, who for all intents and purposes worked hard to put food on the table, pay the bills and stay in a neighborhood that was safe, familiar and comfortable to them. But, too many were (and still are) waiting for "a" savior as opposed to thinking for themselves and reaching beyond the block to go after their dreams and desires. Many (not all) have adopted a complacent mindset that requires them to just sit and wait - - wait for the gov'mint check, wait fo a man, wait fo Diddy to discover them or wait fo some bootlegged CD's.

Now, many people are going to get pissed and say I'm generalizing my thoughts. Go back and read where I stated, "not all" and realize that I am not generalizing or clumping all people into one group. Also realize that I have not stamped a color, sex, religion or any other staple on this segment. Most of the madness is due to the socio-economic disadvantages in a lot of these areas. But I'm here to tell you, there are many resources to glean from and it's beyond time for those who are lazy as hell to start utilizing those resources which will education you and allow you to change your environment. Many of these valuable resources are going to go away - ACT NOW!

Here's a secret no one talks about. You do not have to move out of your neighborhood to change the climate. If T-Bone, Skillet and Poo are stealing from everyone in the neighborhood, why would you purchase those stolen goods and allow them to stay in business? It's just a matter of time before they find their way to your home. You don't have to be a snitch but most of us who are from these neighborhoods know exactly where to go to get "the hook up". Yet, everybody all up in church wearing stolen goods and trying to figure out why the Lord ain't blessed you yet. Take a minute or two to think about it. And yes, I'm using ebonics therefore making that a complete sentence.

So, you want to know if I'm going to go door to door and talk to everybody in the hood one-on-one. Hell no!!! I'm creative not crazy.

My first step in making sense of this environment was to give attention to our bizarre communication style. For that I wrote a book: Nuggets from a Ghetto Dad. This collection of helpful hints to improve communication is slowly becoming a guide for those of us healing from the ghetto experience. It has also gained the interest of counselors, inner city resource providers and individuals who are trying to understand some of the methodologies of the inner city.

Nuggets is a compilation of sayings my father used as a means of discipline and encouragement. Now, mind you, the average black American household does not use these tactics; especially since many of them will land you in jail. But understand that "Sit down and shut the hell up" is a daily statement in many hood households. The world may not think our parents love us, but (after I completed many years of therapy) we realize it's just their style of communicating.

Second, I had to realize one really important fact about getting the inner city to open up and start healing. Most of them don't read! Not that they can't. They won't and therapy will not be considered! So I had to rethink how to market Nuggets.

In my day life I work as a gang/crime prevention specialist. This is very helpful because I get to interact with my target audience daily. In realizing that during many community events that are held directly at apartment complexes where residents can get wonderful knowledge about anything from computer classes to financial development, most will not walk across the parking lot to the front office to receive said gifts. I started getting mad; thinking my efforts were going to fall through the cracks. Then I started reaching out to a variety of people for suggestions.

Daymond John who is known more for his FUBU clothing line was holding a mentoring session on Twitter. He tweeted, "Ask me anything". My question to him was, "How do you get US to show up for anything". After a few suggestions and a little bit of brainstorming I realized "they" do not really have a voice. Yeah we see a few things on BET and hear from a few folks on the radio. But giving a shout out to ya boy really is not a full conversation, nor does it solve any issues. That's when I realized not too many people in the hood have much to say; at least nothing worth listening too. I realized in that same moment that when I was a child in that environment that I had plenty to say; so did everyone around me and those sayings, concerns and desires were very real and very valid. That's when I decided to start a radio show to get my target audience to tell how things are from their heart.

Starting April 23^rd I will host my first show on Blog Talk Radio. My station name is Nuggets, Gems and Pearls. My format will be to get mainstream and the hood talking. I know that all inner city dwellers are not scary monsters waiting to jack your rims. I know that there are mothers in those neighborhoods who are trying to raise their kids to be responsible citizens so that they can get the hell out of the hood. I know of several single dads who are dedicated to rasing responsible kids, improving himself and getting his babies out of that hell hole. I know that there are people living in high rent areas who hail from the hood and want to forget. I also know that collectively, if we are all serious about seeing this environment change, we will sit down and brainstorm some solutions. But, to my hooded out folk, ya'll got to step up and start taking responsibility.

So, please stop by the station and either ask questions though the chat room or call in. My hood calls get priority. We (hood - past, present and potential) need to know that the world is changing and we can't keep filling jails and turning our backs on the schools. Meaning, I'm going to make a few of you mad. And let me start with this statement to my hood mommy's. STOP GOING TO THE SCHOOLS TO FIGHT THE TEACHERS!!!! If you're calling your child stupid at home what makes you think they're going to act right away from you.

Okay, April 23 . . . me . . . you . . . introductions . . . let's go!!!

***NuggetsGemsPearls.com will debut June 2009 - STAND BY!