Canada Lee from "Lifeboat"
In our community (code for Black folks), we are in a lifeboat like the people in that Hitchcock movie. Decisions must be made about how far we are from safety, how long scarce resources will last, and what or who should be jettisoned. We need the strong to row and those with self-inflicted inquires eat last. The loudmouth mutineers who want to cause a ruckus might find a watery grave.
King Solomon’s palms would be on his forehead if he were struggling with our current dilemmas. The peaceful, law-abiding majority in our community spend too much time addressing problems created by the fraction that does not “act right” and that fraction’s actions justify Blacks who don’t want to be around certain negative Blacks. T.V. can be an education resources because “Cops” and A&E’s “Intervention” hipped me to horrible consequences of White and Black drug abuse.
On this theoretical lifeboat, the thug element might toss everyone else overboard and drink half the water and rinse off their sneakers with the other half. The skyrocketing criminal justice cost is taking away from good kids in college and vocational college. While our best youth are fighting in foreign wars, the worst element is fighting in the street to the degree that sharecroppers’ widows in my town fortress themselves inside their modest homes—day and night. Those widows look at me as if to say “it’s on you so be the man your daddy raised and talk with these kids.”
Back in the day, those neighbors would just look at us and we would respectfully take the party to the backyard or turn the music down. (Fools barbeque in the front yard) But, these guys in the big white T-shirts who push their car seats back are about to make me move–that’s not burning leaves I am smelling.
I have a Black conservative friend who always says her folks taught her that life is too short to argue with fools. She should be a fresh congresswoman this year and leader of a movement I have termed “community conservatives.” CCs are those in the community who have always sought to emphasis the limited role of government, personal responsibility and commitment to continuing our push drive from equality through rational decision-making. To put in plainly, act like you have some sense in your head.
CCs never really thought the government should ensure prosperity for all because our governmental and economic system is designed to reward hard work and perversion while understanding that bad decision-makers will nature limit their success. If the system provides an equal opportunity for all, those who did not make it big should understand their condition is a result of their actions. Hell, I don’t know the answers but I do know the predators in my community don’t have white hoods, they have really big white T-shirts and the they are constantly recruiting good kids for bad activities.
With all due respect to the sweet old ladies in my neighborhood, I won’t be speaking to the thug element because logic, reason and community are concepts that escape them. On his way to federal prison, last night rapper T.I. said that “that iron” (jail cells) would straighten them out but again with the cost of “three hots and a cot.” To me, those shackles are a modern, voluntary form of slavery.
My conservative friend should get with other community conservatives (sign me up) and say to liberals “enough with the grants to respond to problems; address the situation before it becomes a problem.” If we are on this lifeboat, sound planning is the key to survival. The old reggae lyric said we can’t sink while others float because we are all in the same big boat.
Would community conservatives be more comfortable as Black Blue Dog Democrats or some needed new moderate division of Michael Steele’s GOP?
The youth need to know blacklisted actor Canada Lee from Hitchcock’s Lifeboat
Project Logic Ga 
If you checkout the old school hip hop videos from a few post ago, you will see classic examples of community conservatives that border on the concept of “stop asking the government to save us from us.”
During the presidential campaign, liberals and the far-right failed to realize that elements of Black nationalism (without the hate speak) is actually conservatism and our community would be better if people listen to their wisdom on some level—carefully.
Brand Nubian delivered with “Slow Down” and most of the cuts on their first cd. As a Methodist, I had to filterout the jabs at the Black church but the community empowerment without government assistance pleased moderate and conservative brothers and sisters. If we have a rain weekend in south Georgia, politics-minded college cats should do what we did 20 years ago; mix some “punch” and have listening party to that Brand Nubian cd—stopping between tracks for a community improvement discussion.
Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth’s TROY was the soundtrack to positive young folks’ lives.
“Use your condoms…take spills off the brew…are they will reminisce over you”
The way this rapper slammed absent fathers and thanked his grandfather for being there for him was wonderful. When he puts his grandfather to bed, it almost brings a tear to my eye. The proud picture of his uncle with the Green beret was a nod to Black opportunities in the military. The line “own my own business like my aunt Joyce” was all about small business and community development.
People who don’t see the conservative elements of Black empowerment are blind and don’t know our community. Tell you what, this is the stuff the Obamas, Michael Steele, and me listened to back in the day. Obama has too much on his plate but slamming reckless decision-making in the hood is dessert. Hey, we said “change.”
They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y) Lyrics by Pete Rock And Cl Smooth
I reminisce for a spell, or shall I say think back
22 years ago to keep it on track
The birth of a child on the 8th of October
A toast but my granddaddy came sober
Countin all the fingers and the toes
Now I suppose, you hope the little black boy grows, huh
18 years younger than my mama
But I really got beatings cause the girl loved drama
In single parenthood there I stood
By the time she was 21, had another one
This one’s a girl, let’s name her Pam
Same father as the first but you don’t give a damn
Irresponsible, plain not thinking
Papa said chill but the brother keep winking
Still he won’t down you or tear out your hide
On your side while the baby maker slide
But mama got wise to the game
The youngest of five kids, hon here it is
After 10 years without no spouse
Momma’s gettin married in the house
Listen, positive over negative for the women and master
Mother Queen’s risin a chapter
Deja vu, tell you what I’m gonna do
When they reminisce over you, my God
[Pete Rock]
My God
It’s so…
Yeah, so lovely
That’s how we like to do it in the 90’s
Pete Rock & CL Smooth comin’ atcha…
Verse Two:
[CL]
When I date back I recall a man off the family tree
My right hand Poppa Doc I see
Took me from a boy to a man so I always had a father
When my biological didn’t bother
Taking care of this so who am I to bicker
Not a bad ticker but I’m clocking pop’s liver
But you can never say that his life is through
5 kids at 21 believe he got a right too
Here we go while I check the scene
With the Portugese lover at the age of 14
The same age, front page, no fuss
But I bet you all your dough, they live longer than us
Never been senile, that’s where you’re wrong
But give the man a taste and he’s gone
Noddin off, sleep to a jazz tune
I can hear his head banging on the wall in the next room
I get the pillow and hope I don’t wake him
For this man do cuss, hear it all in verbatim
Telling me how to raise my boy unless he’s taking over
I said pop maybe when you’re older
We laughed all night about the hookers at the party
My old man standing yelling good God, almighty
Use your condom, take sips of the brew
When they reminisce over you, for real
Verse Three:
[CL]
I reminisce so you never forget this
The days of wayback, so many bear witness the fitness
Take the first letter out of each word in this joint
Listen close as I prove my point
T to the R-uh-O-Y, how did you and I meet?
In front of Big Lou’s, fighting in the street
But only you saw what took many time to see
I dedicate this to you for believing in me
Rain or shine, yes in any weather
My grandmom Pam holds the family together
My Uncle Doc’s the greatest better yet the latest
If we’re talking about a car, Uncle Sterling got the latest
I strive to be live ’cause I got no choice
And run my own business like my Aunt Joyce
So Pete Rock hit me, nuff respect due
When they reminisce over you, listen