We are proud to be storytellers
But there was a time when we were considered fools
When only birds could fly
And the earth was flat
When hip hop and jazz
were not considered music
When Black and Brown
were not considered human
When humans could not walk on the moon
When pictures could not move
When women could not vote
When we could not share a meal
unless we shared a skin tone

Yes, we were there
way back then
being mocked and dismissed by most
but we never were ashamed
We never stayed quiet
We were there
telling stories of a day when impossible
things would be daily routines
Today’s common sense
was yesterday’s absurdity
Yet, here we are

Here we are today

Here we are
Flying on airplanes
Walking on moons
Watching moving pictures
in multiple dimensions
Voting FOR women
Listening to MCs flow rivers of words
over jazz beats
Having meals
and children with
lovers from other cultures

Yes, here we are
Still considered fools
being mocked and dismissed by most
but we never are ashamed
We never stay quiet
Here we are
Telling stories of a day when impossible things
will be daily routines
Today’s absurdity will be
tomorrow’s common sense
And we’ll be there
With more stories to be told
more voices to be heard
More never(s) becoming every days

We’ll be there
When creative things are not considered electives
but core to the education of human beings
When developing your creativity is a responsible thing
and working a passionless job to get rich is a silly dream
We’ll be there
When art is taken down from its ivory tower
consumed less like caviar and more like bread and water
We’ll be there when artists are not starving
When humans are not starving
When being White is not a privilege and being Black is not a curse
When we love Mother Earth like a mother
instead of only taking from her
We’ll be there
When our fantasies become common sense
And even then
We will speak of impossible things
The only hope we have are the stories we tell
Stories not bound by what is possible
By what is dead
We walk on water
We resurrect
They laughed us to death
But here we are
Humming fools
Unashamed of hope
Our stories are future
Our stories are foolish
Only until tomorrow
Until tomorrow
Until tomorrow
Here we are today
Here we are today

Until tomorrow
Until tomorrow
Here we are today
Here we are today

Until tomorrow
Maybe we were born
Until tomorrow
Maybe we were raised
Until tomorrow
Maybe there’s a reason we were made
for a time like this

Until tomorrow
Maybe we were born
Until tomorrow
Maybe we were raised
Until tomorrow
Maybe there’s a reason we were made
for a time like this

Until tomorrow
Until tomorrow
Here we are today
Here we are today

16 - Humming Fools

“Humming Fools” continues with the theme of “Freakshow” and brings an inspirational conclusion to an album that dove head-first into many difficult conversations. The poem encourage the freaks, the fools, the rejected seers of visions, to never apologize for their sight. To never bow to pessimists parading as realists. The life of an activist, artist, and activist artist can be discouraging at times. Progress seems to move so slow and certain injustices seem insurmountable. Instead of giving in to despair, “Humming Fools” starts out by looking back into history.

“There was a time when we were considered fools, when only birds could fly...” Leonardo Da Vinci was an artist and inventor who lived in the 14 and 1500s. He has famous sketches of flying machines. Da Vinci believed it was possible for human beings to fly. He drew up several different blueprints of flying machines that were scoffed at by his contemporaries. To others, he was a fool. Most people believed human flight was impossible. Da Vinci died in 1519. For another 384 years, his mockers seemed to be right, until they were proven wrong in 1903, when the Wright brothers successfully flew the world’s first airplane. Did a miracle occur? Not exactly, what was believed to be impossible was proven possible. The fool was proven prophet. The ones who seem blinded by their naive dreams are proven to be the ones who actually see reality. Whenever I get discouraged about obstacles we face today, I think about people like Da Vinci. I think about the black and white abolitionists who died before the end of slavery in America. I think about the first slave to ever have the thought, “one day, a black person will be president of the United States”. I think about the first person who said, I bet we could invent something that captured people in motion, like a painting, but alive. I think about the first person to look up at the moon and think, “one day, a human will walk on that thing.” Fools, blubbering, humming fools, all of them. People who dreamed of such things were the laughing stock of their time. Things we take for granted today were utter impossibilities in a world not so long ago. “Today’s common sense was yesterday’s absurdity, yet, here we are...

Here we are today

Here we are
Flying on airplanes
Walking on moons
Watching moving pictures
in multiple dimensions
Voting FOR women
Listening to MCs flow rivers of words
over jazz beats
Having meals
and children with
lovers from other cultures

It is so encouraging to remember that things which were considered impossible just a few decades ago are now so common that we don’t even blink. No one is shocked when an airplane flies over head, or an interracial couple is holding hands at the mall, or a woman is running for political office. I’m glad the activists and artist who came before us did not fold in the face of incredible hate and skepticism. I hope to be counted among the long lineage of activist artists who believe in unseen realities. Who embrace the label of fool with pride. Today, I want to believe in the seemingly impossible.

Yes, we were there
way back then
being mocked and dismissed by most
but we never were ashamed
We never stayed quiet
We were there
telling stories of a day when impossible
things would be daily routines
Today’s common sense
was yesterday’s absurdity
Yet, here we are

Storytelling and creativity is essential to the work of justice. This is a strong personal conviction because I spent the first two decades of my life believing I had very little to offer this world. It was not until I experimented and eventually embraced my creativity, that I became aware of my gifts, understood the world, justice, and spiritual realities like never before. In contrast to the over emphasis of traditional academics in western culture, understanding the human experience is a lot more than comprehending intellectual ideas. Humans are inescapably creative beings. We must consider the whole of human nature when we approach education, spirituality, justice, business, community etc. To neglect creativity when addressing social ills is foolish and ineffective. Western culture needs a shift that believes “creative things are not considered electives, but core to the education of human beings”. It is often the art, the music, the creative approach to protest which end up being the most compelling and effective components of justice movements.

Yes, here we are
Still considered fools
being mocked and dismissed by most
but we never are ashamed
We never stay quiet
Here we are
Telling stories of a day when impossible things
will be daily routines
Today’s absurdity will be
tomorrow’s common sense
And we’ll be there
With more stories to be told
more voices to be heard
More never(s) becoming every days

We’ll be there
When creative things are not considered electives
but core to the education of human beings
When developing your creativity is a responsible thing
and working a passionless job to get rich is a silly dream
We’ll be there
When art is taken down from its ivory tower
consumed less like caviar and more like bread and water
We’ll be there when artists are not starving
When humans are not starving
When being White is not a privilege and being Black is not a curse
When we love Mother Earth like a mother
instead of only taking from her

A miracle did not occur when the Wright brothers first took flight. Likewise, activist artists and creatives do not have to be prophets or magicians to believe in things that others consider impossible. Creative minds believe and work to see their visions become realities. As a person of Christian faith however, I do believe in miracles. I believe the most powerful movements are the ones in which creative people of faith are in tune with both their own creativity and the Spirit of God. When natural creativity is empowered by the supernatural Holy Spirit of God, miracles do happen. Even the laws of nature are no longer limits for our ideas. Our stories are “not bound by what is possible, by what is dead. We walk on water. We resurrect.” To be an activist artist is enough for people to roll their eyes at you. To be an activist artist who is also a person of faith that believes in the resurrection power of Jesus. To believe dead things come back to life. To believe nothing is impossible with the power of God. Now you’re really a drunk poet. A humming fool. But never be ashamed. “Our stories are future, our stories are foolish, only until tomorrow.”

We’ll be there
When our fantasies become common sense
And even then
We will speak of impossible things
The only hope we have are the stories we tell
Stories not bound by what is possible
By what is dead
We walk on water
We resurrect
They laughed us to death
But here we are
Humming fools
Unashamed of hope
Our stories are future
Our stories are foolish
Only until tomorrow
Until tomorrow
Until tomorrow
Here we are today
Here we are today

Until tomorrow
Until tomorrow
Here we are today
Here we are today

Until tomorrow
Maybe we were born
Until tomorrow
Maybe we were raised
Until tomorrow
Maybe there’s a reason we were made
for a time like this

Until tomorrow
Maybe we were born
Until tomorrow
Maybe we were raised
Until tomorrow
Maybe there’s a reason we were made
for a time like this

Until tomorrow
Until tomorrow
Here we are today
Here we are today

Grace and Peace,

Micah

March 14, 2018

Chris Cambell

15 - Freakshow (FT Kevin & Anya Looper)

March 14, 2018

Chris Cambell

I'd encourage you to listen to the song and read through the lyrics before diving into the post.

Some Drunk Poet was singing of God and his mercies
Quietly sipping his gin
Painting a picture
Words from a portrait
of Jesus but coming again
And oh sing oh Lord oh grace
And oh sing oh Lord oh grace

Never dismiss the visions of madmen
Wisdom can be gathered from anyone who sees what others cannot
Drunk men tell no tales
Poets cannot lie
Poets cannot lie
Because we do not divide fact from fiction
There’s often more truth in our fantasy worlds and metaphors
than human courts where liars swear to speak honestly
in the name of laws they break
In the name of gods they disobey
The prayers of the proud will never reach heaven
But God hears the slurred words of the stumbling prophets
And all will be cursed who mock them
It is not an easy task to plead with the world
To grieve for the world
Especially since God often speaks through those most broken
The picture we paint in our minds
is a far cry from the reality of heaven
When the saints go marching in
it will not be a parade of the almost perfect
God does not reserve grace for those
who only need a little bit
The healthy are in no need of a doctor
The Healer is for the sick
Heaven will be a freakshow
Promiscuous young men will embrace
the virgin priests who molested them
and their hearts will both be pure
How amazing, is grace
The street corner preacher will be greeted by thousands of people
she thought were not listening
“Thank you for enduring the times we mocked you
Your sidewalk sermons are why we know God”
How amazing, is grace
Aborted children will tug the spotless robes of young women
and say “hello mother, I’m so glad to finally meet you”
The former master will see the lashed back of his no longer slave
and say “you taught me the love of the Savior”
The suicide bomber who prayed for forgiveness
during the millisecond between pressing
the detonator and standing before the throne of God
The guilty thief hanging next to Jesus on the cross
The madman who spoke to invisible beings
will stand between Michael and Gabriel
with a grin as wide as an angel’s wingspan and scream
I KNEW I WASN’T CRAZY!
The Mrs. and the mistress
The victim and the rapist
The foreign and racists
The bullies and the geeks
All of those who somewhere
along the way believed
Whose sins were forgiven
and strength was given to love their enemies
So many we swore there is no way in hell
we would see them in heaven
But they will be there
We will be there
with a song our lips
and our eyes full of faith
and we’ll sing
How amazing, is grace

Some Drunk Poet was singing of God and his mercies
Quietly sipping his gin
Painting a picture
Words from a portrait
of Jesus but coming again
And oh sing oh lord oh grace
And oh sing oh lord oh grace

15 - Freakshow (FT Kevin & Anya Looper)

Some Drunk Poet was singing of God and his mercies
Quietly sipping his gin
Painting a picture
Words from a portrait
of Jesus but coming again
And oh sing oh Lord oh grace
And oh sing oh Lord oh grace

Freakshow was written over a course of several years and inspired by several different seasons in life. The initial spark though came from Kevin and Anya Looper, a husband and wife folk-music duo. I was featuring at an open mic in Denver, Colorado when the Loopers took the stage. The first line of their song arrested my attention, “Some drunk poet was singing of God and his mercies, quietly sipping his gin.” Those lyrics spoke volumes to me. I saw a vivid image of a grungy-looking alcoholic, stumbling down the street, softly singing “Amazing Grace” between sips of gin. That image was such a perfect picture of what I believe the grace of God to be. Afterwards, I asked the Loopers if I could one day pair their song with a poem. They agreed. It took me years to get it right but here it finally is.

Never dismiss the visions of madmen
Wisdom can be gathered from anyone who sees what others cannot
Drunk men tell no tales
Poets cannot lie
Poets cannot lie
Because we do not divide fact from fiction
There’s often more truth in our fantasy worlds and metaphors
than human courts where liars swear to speak honestly
in the name of laws they break
In the name of gods they disobey
The prayers of the proud will never reach heaven
But God hears the slurred words of the stumbling prophets
And all will be cursed who mock them
It is not an easy task to plead with the world
To grieve for the world
Especially since God often speaks through those most broken

It is a weighty task to be a voice of truth in a time like this. With so much widespread corruption, those courageous enough to speak truth are often slandered and sometimes physically attacked. For medical reasons, I’m not able to consume alcohol, but I often find myself thinking, “I need a stiff drink.” I often feel like that drunk poet singing about the mercies of God to a crowd of people who mock or ignore me, and yet, I know the words I speak have changed lives. The prophetic voices that pierce through all the noise are not the overly confident ones, but the voices of broken people who recognize the brokeness in themselves and the world, and have a heart to do something about it. In “Freakshow” I say, “the prayers of the proud will never reach heaven, but God hears the slurred words of the stumbling prophets. And all will be cursed who mock them.” This is a reference to a parable of Jesus below.

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” ( Luke 18:10 -14).

God is not impressed by arrogant, religious people who consider themselves better than their fellow humans. God hears, responds to, and partners with the humble, the social outcasts, the poor, the ones who know they’ve made mistakes. “It is not an easy task to plead with the world, to grieve for the world, especially since God often speaks through those most broken.” As referenced in verse three of the song “I Got Joy,” this lyric was also inspired by these words from the Bible

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1st Corinthians 1:26 -29).

There is a common saying in America, “God works in mysterious ways”. One of those beautiful mysteries is that the people who often feel the least capable and qualified are chosen to do the most important work. The drunk poet is entrusted with the song of mercy and grace and hope.

The picture we paint in our minds
is a far cry from the reality of heaven
When the saints go marching in
it will not be a parade of the almost perfect
God does not reserve grace for those
who only need a little bit
The healthy are in no need of a doctor
The Healer is for the sick

In every culture, there are certain people who are considered beyond redemption. They are too dirty, too ugly, too other, too disgusting. If you want to be considered a moral person with an honorable reputation, culture tells you to avoid these people. Jesus however refused to live by those rules. He refused to consider anyone beneath him. The sad irony is that many people who consider themselves followers of Jesus are often judgemental, as they look at non christians or people who made certain type of mistakes as contaminated. Jesus was never accused of being judgmental, in fact, he was accused of just the opposite. His critics considered him a hypocrite for claiming to be a holy messenger from God but hanging out with such sinful people. They asked him “‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ And Jesus answered them ‘ Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick’” (Luke 5:30-31). Jesus masterfully shuts down his critics with this simple and profound response. The message of hope in this broken and unjust world is not for people who have never made mistakes and have comfortable lives, the message of hope is for those who feel hopeless. For those who feel unforgivable and forgotten. After all, “The healthy are in no need of a doctor. The healer is for the sick.” Faith is not for morally impeccable people who seek to be rewarded for their goodness. It is a radical message of healing and new life for those who believe themselves irreparable.

Heaven will be a freakshow
Promiscuous young men will embrace
the virgin priests who molested them
and their hearts will both be pure
How amazing, is grace
The street corner preacher will be greeted by thousands of people
she thought were not listening
“Thank you for enduring the times we mocked you
Your sidewalk sermons are why we know God”
How amazing, is grace
Aborted children will tug the spotless robes of young women
and say “hello mother, I’m so glad to finally meet you”
The former master will see the lashed back of his no longer slave
and say “you taught me the love of the Savior”
The suicide bomber who prayed for forgiveness
during the millisecond between pressing
the detonator and standing before the throne of God
The guilty thief hanging next to Jesus on the cross

The above section of the poem ought to make you uncomfortable. I intentionally pair people who under no circumstance within human nature could enjoy any sense of friendship or community. It is disturbing and even wrong to some, to envision a young man embracing the older man who molested him as a child. Or a woman treating the man who once raped her as a brother. Especially if you have been the victim of a terrible crime, I understand anyone who rejects this idea. As a follower of Jesus however, I’ve become convinced that the core of my faith is learning how to love your enemy. When you can see the humanity even in those who commit the most inhumane acts, you’re beginning to see with the eyes of God. When you can love those who have most wounded you, you are beginning to understand the love of God. This type of love requires divine perspective and power, because it is natural to hate our enemies, but I believe the only hope for humanity is to rise above our nature and tap into supernatural healing power and hope, bringing the kingdom of God to earth. The kingdom of God offers forgiveness to the worst of the worst. It invites the outcasts to be part of the family. It reconciles people who once hated each other and makes them brothers and sister in the family of God. Jesus said

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also… If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.. But love your enemies, and do good and lend expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:27-36).

It is important to note that I do not believe this teaching of Jesus is encouraging people to stay in abusive relationships. It is clear throughout Jesus’ life and teachings that he offers sever warning to anyone who judges and hurts women, children, the poor, and the most vulnerable in society. Jesus’ love of enemy, I believe is talking about the posture of your heart. When you understand the love of God, your heart is set on a restorative divine justice, not a punitive justice or revenge. You do not seek to kill evil people, but rescue innocent people from their power, as well as work towards the healing of the evil person’s broken soul, turning your enemies into your allies by extending the love, forgiveness and healing of God. It is illogical to ask people to have warm and positive feeling toward their abusers. This is not what Jesus is saying. Martin Luther King explains in a sermon delivered at the Detroit council of churches

“I think this is what Jesus means when he says, ‘Love your enemies.’ And I’m so happy he didn’t say, ‘Like your enemies,’ because it’s kind of difficult to like some people. Like is sentimental; like is an affectionate sort of thing. And you can’t like anybody who’s bombing your home and threatening your children. It’s hard to like a senator who’s spending all of his time in Washington standing against all of the legislation that will make for better relationships and that will make for brotherhood. It’s difficult to like them. But Jesus says, ‘Love them,’ and love is greater than like. Love is understanding, redemptive, creative goodwill for all men. And so Jesus was expressing something very creative when he said, ‘Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Pray for them that despitefully use you.’”

This type of thinking comes from a spiritual conviction that love is stronger than all the evil, hate and injustice in the world. I personally believe that simply seeking to kill and punish evil people will be a never ending, unfulfilling task. Responding to evil with love is a challenging and hopeful call that allows you to witness the miraculous transformational power of the love of God.

The madman who spoke to invisible beings
will stand between Michael and Gabriel
with a grin as wide as an angel’s wingspan and scream
I KNEW I WASN’T CRAZY!

This is a reference back to the opening lines of the poem, “Never dismiss the visions of madmen. Wisdom can be gathered from anyone who sees what others cannot.” Be it artists, spiritual leaders, philosophers, or the homeless man on the street, when people see the world different from the dominant culture in which they live, they are considered insane. Yet it is often those same people that move society forward, make society better. Historically speaking, so many artists and prophetic figures were mocked, criticized, and rejected during their lifetime, only to be revered posthumously. The poem starts out with a madman who sees visions. In the early books of the old testament scriptures, prophets were simply called “seers”. A seer is not just someone who tells the future. A seer is a person whose eyes are open to spiritual realities that not everyone can see. A seer is a person with an understanding of truth that is deep and uncommon. In this climactic line in the poem, the madman who endured a life of ridicule, finally feels validated when he gets to heaven and is standing between Michael and Gabriel, two angels mentioned by name in the Bible. His visions were indeed true, he was not a madman afterall. Turns out, the freaks in the freakshow are not the crazy ones. They are the ones who see things as they really are.

The Mrs. and the mistress
The victim and the rapist
The foreign and racists
The bullies and the geeks
All of those who somewhere
along the way believed
Whose sins were forgiven
and strength was given to love their enemies
So many we swore there is no way in hell
we would see them in heaven
But they will be there
We will be there
with a song our lips
and our eyes full of faith
and we’ll sing
How amazing, is grace

The community of faithful people both in heaven and on this side of eternity is a freakshow. It is full of victims and perpetrators of injustice who have all found forgiveness, hope, new life and reconciliation in the grace of God. A former slave trader named John Newton became convicted of the horror of his business, quit the slave industry and wrote what is arguably the most popular Christian song in the English speaking world, “Amazing Grace”. The message of “Freakshow” reflects the same spirit of grace found in Newton’s story and lyrics. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” As a black American descendant of slaves, I would not rather have Newton burn in hell. I am so glad he was confronted with his sin and embraced the forgiveness and grace of God. I welcome him and others like him into the radical community of drunken poets, forgiven sinners, enemy lovers. I welcome everyone to join the freakshow.

Some Drunk Poet was singing of God and his mercies
Quietly sipping his gin
Painting a picture
Words from a portrait
of Jesus but coming again
And oh sing oh lord oh grace
And oh sing oh lord oh grace

Grace and Peace,

Micah

March 7, 2018

Chris Cambell

14 - All Hands on Deck (FT Izzi Ray, Jackie Miclau, Liz Vice, & Lucee)

March 7, 2018

Chris Cambell

I'd encourage you to listen to the song and read through the lyrics before diving into the post.

Used to dream of leather jackets and black berets
Black fist raised wishin’ I was back in the day
With the courage of Tubman I’d be conductin’ a train
Bet I sit with Rosa
Bet I march with King
Bet I wouldn’t take nothin’ from the KKK
Bet I BPP
Bet I Stokley C
Bet I Bobby, bet I Huey
Bet I fight for we
Bet I need to snap back, reality check
I ain’t been to near one BLM protest
Yeah I post a lotta talk ‘cause I’m so upset
But it’s kinda complicated and I’m not the best
at time management I gotta lotta stuff to do
I can’t officially join but I support the crew
Too broke to donate, Ima pray for you
But the shirt so dope, Ima cop me two
Stop modelin’ y’all
We got work to do

All hands on deck
Get on board
‘Cause this ain’t politics anymore
We need
all hands on deck
Get on board
‘Cause this ain’t politics anymore
We need
all hands on deck
(Izzi Ray)
I’m an independent woman
And a fighter and a lover
And a singer and a writer and
A whole lotta other
All of the foremothers been runnin’ a marathon
Carried the flame far
Now they passin’ it on
Don’t forget how they died
Don’t forget how they lived
Don’t forget what they gave
Everybody that did what they do
You don’t gotta be a Martin Luther King
What if Sojourner never said a truthful thing
What if Frida never painted and Nina she never sang
What if everyone despised what they had to bring
To the table don’t you ever think it isn’t enough
‘Cause the party isn’t catered this joint is a potluck
You got to show up laced ready and set
No half-steppin’ ‘cause this battle gonna take
All hands on deck

All hands on deck
Get on board
‘Cause this ain’t politics anymore
We need
all hands on deck
Get on board
‘Cause this ain’t politics anymore
We need
all hands on deck

(Jackie Miclau)
What’s crackelin’ peeps
It’s young Jacquelyn, peace
To my squad, Rip city to Romanian streets
I’m the daughter of some immigrants
Tired of the ignorance
People are people and that should be the end of it
But I know it isn’t so I got to play
Woman of few words with a lot to say
Don’t speak
Just listen as I tap the keys
Cause every revolution need a symphony
Sumthin’ to march to while fightin’ the good fight
My fingers do the talkin’ I don’t ever need a mic
But since they gave it to me girl you know I gotta slay
High heel revolutionary faith all day

(Liz Vice)
Liz Vice checkin’ in on the mic
I’m a west coast kid
wit’ an east coast life
Moved to NY to find peace of mind
and maybe a nice guy unafraid of my shine
My ladies don’t hesitate
to be all that you was made
to be because you afraid
that you might intimidate a dude
I promise you
Your strength is beautiful
To all who really know the God
Who created you
Love to the haters
And the ity bity boys
Afraid to see the ladies
Makin joyful noise
We gave you all life
We hold half the sky
Too fly to be shy
Come dance wit’ me bruh

(Lucee)
L, U, C, Double E
J, A, Double Z
Used to be embarrassed that my hair so cuddly
Then I got woke and broke my hot comb
Now I’m rockin’ shows full blown afro
Finally I see the beauty in my own soul
Singin’ love songs for those with low hope
Rebel with a cause
Rebel with a guitar
Dominicana you don’t wanna step to my bars
But on the dance floor you can step to my bars
Bachata if ya gotta
Shout out to DR
L. Jazz bringin’ light and sass
I’m a brand new woman
with a broken past
But I know I been forgiven
so my hope is phat
for the future and the present
You can toast to that

14 - All Hands on Deck (FT Izzi Ray, Jackie Miclau, Liz Vice, & Lucee)

In hip hop, the song “All Hands On Deck” is what you call a cypher. A cypher is when a group of rappers stand in a circle, often with someone beatboxing, and each artist raps one after another, usually with no breaks between. The proverbial mic is passed seamlessly from one rapper to the next the way you would pass a baton in a relay race. Cyphers are often impromptu and happen at parties, on the street corner or at a park. When a studio recorded songs is called a cypher, that means there are a lot of rappers on the song, usually 4 or more, and sometimes no chorus in between verses, as is the case with the last 3 verses of “All Hands On Deck”. When I first got the idea to include a cypher, my mind immediately thought of all the friends I wanted to spit a verse on the song. I quickly realized, there were no women on my list. This reminded me of the sexism present in hip hop and myself. Despite the fact that women are avid supporters and listeners of the genre, there are very few women celebrated in any aspect of hip hop. There are not many successful women rappers, producers, or DJs. This reality has nothing to do with lack of interest or talent in those areas, but rather lack of opportunity. Hip hop is a boys club. Women are often excluded, exploited or tokenized in hip hop culture. As someone who grew up in hip hop culture, I do this subconsciously, instinctually. When I realized I was doing this, I wanted to go beyond the tokenism of inviting one woman to join the cypher, instead I decided to have a cypher in which all the featured rappers were women (aside from myself). Be it hip hop or any other space in culture that discriminates against women, we must admit there is a problem, move beyond tokenism, and be intentional about inclusion.

The song itself is about mobilizing the masses to participate in the doing of justice. When I was younger, I wished I could have participated in the world-changing demonstrations of the American Civil Rights Movement. Bittersweetly, my wish has been granted. Recent events have revealed that institutional racism and racial wounds in the U.S. are deep and festering. With increased awareness of police brutality due to technology, with incarceration rates of black Americans being grossly disproportionate, with the unexpected outcome of our latest presidential election, the nation is more divided than it has been in recent years. Though some progress has been made, we are fighting institutionalized racism and white supremacy just like so many justice-minded Americans before us. I realized, whatever I am doing now is exactly what I would’ve done in the 60’s, or during slavery. If I am not proactive about fighting injustice today, what makes me think I would have stood for justice when doing so was far more risky?

Used to dream of leather jackets and black berets
Black fist raised wishin’ I was back in the day
With the courage of Tubman I’d be conductin’ a train

I fantasized about my activism. If I was alive back then, I thought, “with the courage of Tubman I’d be conducting a train.” This is referring to The Underground Railroad, a network of homes, churches and secret places that assisted black American runaway slaves on their journey to freedom. The lead navigator of a particular escape mission was known as the conductor. A former slave herself, Harriet Tubman is the most famous and successful conductor of the Underground Railroad. As a black person, participating in the Underground Railroad was gambling with you very life, yet the arrogant part of me assumed I would definitely have been clever and courageous enough to be a conductor.

Bet I sit with Rosa
Bet I march with King
Bet I wouldn’t take nothin’ from the KKK
Bet I BPP
Bet I Stokley C
Bet I Bobby, bet I Huey
Bet I fight for we

My delusions continue as I liken my courage to that of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. I assume I would have had the fortitude of Rosa Parks to be defiant in the face of segregation laws which tried to make her give up her seat for a white passenger on a public bus. I also put myself shoulder to shoulder with Dr. Martin Luther King. Stokley C (C for Carmichael) was an outspoken black activist involved with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton were co-founders of the Black Panther Party (BPP), and of course, I consider them my would-have-been contemporaries as well. The Panthers were known for wearing black leather jackets and black berets. This is what I was referencing in the opening line of the song.

Bet I need to snap back, reality check
I ain’t been to near one BLM protest
Yeah I post a lotta talk ‘cause I’m so upset
But it’s kinda complicated and I’m not the best
at time management I gotta lotta stuff to do
I can’t officially join but I support the crew
Too broke to donate, Ima pray for you
But the shirt so dope, Ima cop me two
Stop modelin’ y’all
We got work to do

Halfway through my verse, I snap back from my daydream. Fact of the matter is, there are so many opportunities I’ve had to stand up for justice that I have not taken. I am a huge supporter of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in theory, but to this day I have not attended one of their protests or participated in any of their demonstrations or programs. Though I post about my anger at injustice often on social media, my minimal actions do not seem to match my apparent zeal for the cause. I haven’t given much money to organizations fighting for justice either. I had all these realizations early in 2017 and wanted to do something about it. As a creative, I sought to do what I do best, for the cause. I have occasionally addressed these issues in my work, but I decided to be more intentional. The album “A Time Like This” is my most significant contribution to the fight for justice. There is not just a song or two, but the entire album is addressing different justice issues. It’s time for all of us to do more than tweet and wear BLM T-Shirts. “Stop modelin’ y’all, we got work to do.”

All hands on deck
Get on board
‘Cause this ain’t politics anymore
We need
all hands on deck
Get on board
‘Cause this ain’t politics anymore
We need
all hands on deck
(Izzi Ray)
I’m an independent woman
And a fighter and a lover
And a singer and a writer and
A whole lotta other
All of the foremothers been runnin’ a marathon
Carried the flame far
Now they passin’ it on
Don’t forget how they died
Don’t forget how they lived
Don’t forget what they gave
Everybody that did what they do
You don’t gotta be a Martin Luther King
What if Sojourner never said a truthful thing
What if Frida never painted and Nina she never sang
What if everyone despised what they had to bring
To the table don’t you ever think it isn’t enough
‘Cause the party isn’t catered this joint is a potluck
You got to show up laced ready and set
No half-steppin’ ‘cause this battle gonna take
All hands on deck

Izzi Ray is part of my creative family. She is a courageous singer/songwriter with strong convictions. Her album “Liminality” spoke boldly on faith, romance and feminism. Her sound is best described as soulful dark power pop with hints of rock and R&B. On “All Hands On Deck”, she delivers a smooth verse that summarizes the theme of the song as well as the whole album. Izzi’s verse emphasizes the importance of community in the fight for justice. Everyone has a part to play. She raps, “you don’t gotta be a Martin Luther King”. Although Dr. King played an incredibly important role, we do not need to aspire to be King-like figures ourselves. In fact, there were significant downsides to the structure of King’s leadership. Historically, many different justice movements had one thing in common, they were heavily dependent on the leadership of a select few male leaders. When too much power lies with a few individuals, this benefits the opposition. If opposers are able to discredit, discourage or assassinate a few select leaders, then the entire cause suffers greatly. That is precisely what happened with King, Malcolm X, Huey P Newton, and several other leaders and movements. Ella Baker was heavily involved with many organizations and leaders in the Civil Rights era, but she herself intentionally stayed out of the spotlight. She was not ashamed of her position, but sought rather to empower others, with little concern about being recognized for her leadership. She wisely explained,

"I have always felt it was a handicap for oppressed peoples to depend so largely upon a leader, because unfortunately in our culture, the charismatic leader usually becomes a leader because he has found a spot in the public limelight... The major job was getting people to understand that they had something within their power that they could use... You didn’t see me on television; you didn’t see news stories about me. The kind of role that I tried to play was to pick up pieces or put together pieces out of which I hoped organization might come. My theory is, strong people don’t need strong leaders.”

When the power of the movement comes from a community as a whole, you can’t simply destroy a few individuals and stop the movement. We need all hands on deck. Izzi goes on to list powerful women who all made significant contributions to the cause of justice in many different ways. It would be absurd for these women to consider themselves less important simply because they did not have quite the following or limelight of a leader like Dr. King. Izzi raps, “What if Sojourner never said a truthful thing? What if Frida never painted and Nina, she never sang? What if everyone despised what they had to bring?” Sojourner Truth was a former slave and travelling preacher/abolitionist, Frida Kahlo was an early 20th century Mexican painter who defied cultural standards of beauty in her personal style as well as her art. She lived with a sense of liberation uncommon to women in her day. Nina Simone was a singer turned activist who realized the power that music played in the fight for justice. She sang empowering songs like “Young Gifted and Black”. All of these women made significant contributions to the cause and each and every person can do likewise. The aim is not to be the singular hero who fixes everything, but an active member of the community. Izzi raps “What if everyone despised what they had to bring to the table? Don’t you ever think it isn’t enough, ‘cause the party isn’t catered, this joint is a potluck.” Just like a potluck picnic, no single person is responsible for feeding everyone. Potlucks only work if each person brings their best to the table. So it is with revolutionary activism.

All hands on deck
Get on board
‘Cause this ain’t politics anymore
We need
all hands on deck
Get on board
‘Cause this ain’t politics anymore
We need
all hands on deck

(Jackie Miclau)
What’s crackelin’ peeps
It’s young Jacquelyn, peace
To my squad, Rip city to Romanian streets
I’m the daughter of some immigrants
Tired of the ignorance
People are people and that should be the end of it
But I know it isn’t so I got to play
Woman of few words with a lot to say
Don’t speak
Just listen as I tap the keys
Cause every revolution need a symphony
Sumthin’ to march to while fightin’ the good fight
My fingers do the talkin’ I don’t ever need a mic
But since they gave it to me girl you know I gotta slay
High heel revolutionary faith all day

My homegirl Jackie Miclau is a creative collaborator and classically trained pianist who can get down in just about every genre. She played a solo on my blues album “No Ugly Babies”. At the end of the song “Po’ Boy Clean,” I keep yelling “Play that Jack!” As Jackie goes to town on the keys. She is usually quiet and soft spoken in social settings, but as the daughter of two Romanian immigrants, she has many thoughts and experiences concerning issues of justice, bicultural and bilingual living. Here colorful insights are usually expressed in wordless piano compositions. She is indeed a “woman of few words with a lot to say.” Many people assume standing up for justice always requires words. But Jackie proves that wrong. She brings what she has to offer through passionate and dramatic compositions that can convict and motivate you with the same strength of a thoughtfully prepared speech. Jackie raps “don’t speak, just listen as I tap the keys, ‘cause every revolution needs a symphony. Something to march to while fighting the good fight. My fingers do the talkin’ I don’t ever need a mic.” Jackie is also a fashionista with a zeal for high heels. She will be fighting injustice in style, “high heel revolutionary faith all day.”

(Liz Vice)
Liz Vice checkin’ in on the mic
I’m a west coast kid
wit’ an east coast life
Moved to NY to find peace of mind
and maybe a nice guy unafraid of my shine
My ladies don’t hesitate
to be all that you was made
to be because you afraid
that you might intimidate a dude
I promise you
Your strength is beautiful
To all who really know the God
Who created you
Love to the haters
And the ity bity boys
Afraid to see the ladies
Makin joyful noise
We gave you all life
We hold half the sky
Too fly to be shy
Come dance wit’ me bruh

Liz Vice is a dear friend and frequent creative collaborator. Like so many women, Liz is gifted with amazing talent and courage, but along the course of her life, sexist culture has taught her to hide her gifts, lest she be seen as arrogant, aggressive or controlling. Yet the same qualities in a man would be celebrated as confidence, power and leadership. Liz has become fed up with a culture that encourages women to shrink themselves in order to preserve the fragile egos of men. In her verse, Liz encourages women and girls to embrace all of who they are. “My ladies don’t hesitate, to be all that you was made, to be because you afraid that you might intimidate a dude.”

One of the reasons Liz felt the need to shrink herself, is a desire for a male partner. But she realized that she wouldn’t want to be with a man who was intimidated by her strength anyway, so why hide it? By living out all of who you are, you only repel small-minded men, not the ones worth your time. She raps “your strength is beautiful to all who really know the God who created you”. Anyone with a mature faith in God believes in the equality of women and celebrates their giftedness.

(Lucee)
L, U, C, Double E
J, A, Double Z
Used to be embarrassed that my hair so cuddly
Then I got woke and broke my hot comb
Now I’m rockin’ shows full blown afro
Finally I see the beauty in my own soul
Singin’ love songs for those with low hope
Rebel with a cause
Rebel with a guitar
Dominicana you don’t wanna step to my bars
But on the dance floor you can step to my bars
Bachata if ya gotta
Shout out to DR
L. Jazz bringin’ light and sass
I’m a brand new woman
with a broken past
But I know I been forgiven
so my hope is phat
for the future and the present
You can toast to that

Lucee is like a sister to me. We’ve had countless conversations full of tears as we’ve worked through insecurities about physical appearance as well as shame from past mistakes. In this verse she celebrates the personal growth. “Finally I see the beauty in my own soul”. The healing has allowed her to become a healer and sing “love songs for those with low hope.” In conversations with her, she will often say, “My music is not about me.” Actually, Lucee’s songs often are about her, written by her, about her personal experiences, however she recognizes that her gift of music is much bigger than her. Her songs might be inspired by her experiences but they will often relate to and encourage many. Lucee has accepted divine forgiveness and no longer feels shame from her past mistakes, but rather is a champion of hope. “I’m a brand new woman with a broken past. But I know I’ve been forgiven so my hope is phat for the future and the present you can toast to that.”

All hands on deck
Get on board
‘Cause this ain’t politics anymore
We need
all hands on deck
Get on board
‘Cause this ain’t politics anymore
We need
all hands on deck

Grace and Peace,

Micah

March 7, 2018

Chris Cambell

13 - I Got Joy

March 7, 2018

Chris Cambell

I'd encourage you to listen to the song and read through the lyrics before diving into the post.

Money stay low
Rock second hand clothes
And I’m dippin’ in a whip bout 20 years
Wear the same shoes ‘till them boys got holes
5 years deep tryin’ slang these poems
Still aint got the cheese just to make these hits
Had to run Kickstarter for “A Time Like This”
Momma said
Boy why you beggin for bread
Need to quit
Need to quit it and get you a real gig
Very next week went to spit some poetry
At open mic at Fox Coffee in Long Beach
A sister said
brotha, ya poetry changed me
A brotha said
brotha you speaking my story
Molested by a priest when I was a lil boy
Freakshow gonna help me to grow and move forward
Sold a couple discs made a few pesos
But I’m feelin like I’m swimmin’ in Oprah Queso
Everybody get it when I drop a new jawn
Free download at my name dot com
I don’t want ya money
I just wanna give life
‘Cause I got da joy dat money cannot buy

I Got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I Got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money
Joy dat da money can’t buy

I’m the brokest one of all of my squad
But I’m happy as can be and they be hatin’ they jobs
Got a salary and benefits a car and a dog
Feelin hollow but they followed all the wisdom they got
Gotta go into debt if you ever wanna be rich
Don’t think about it just listen I’m tellin you what it is
Went to college had to borrows from the capitalists
Now instead of dreaming big they worried bout pay checks
To pay off they school debt then pick up a mortgage
Making them six figs but feel like some poor kids
Cause they livin’ on the edge of they means
But life is more than comfort and havin’ some nice things
Lord I’m a good man
But my soul lean
Life so bland
What does all this mean?
Follow God give your wealth to the poor
Bet you walk away sad, you don’t want this joy

I Got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money
Joy dat da money can’t buy

Been broke
But we neva lose hope
Singin bout joy since whips and lynch ropes
Eyes on the prize since days of Jim Crow
Remixed our pain to Blues and Gospel
Faith in the Christ who favors poor folks
Ears to the cries that rise from ghettos
Not many wise or wealthy get chose
God gives the light to despised and low
Poor find pride and the proud humbled
Weak made strong and the shy made bold
Joy so full everybody wanna know
Where it come from so we gotta let ‘em know

We got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
We got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
We got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
We got joy
Got joy
Got joy from Da Lord
Joy from Da Lord on high

13 - I Got Joy

Money stay low
Rock second hand clothes
And I’m dippin’ in a whip bout 20 years
Wear the same shoes ‘till them boys got holes
5 years deep tryin’ slang these poems

I’ve been a full time artist for five years. At times, I’ve lived up to the starving artist stereotype. From the clothes I wear, to the car I drive, I’m very intentional about my lifestyle choices. I do not live frugally because I lack the ability to make money. I know I am skilled enough to find some type of employment which pays significantly more than my current income, however, I am willing to sacrifice certain comforts in order to continue slangin’ these poems. For me, the fulfillment I receive from doing something I love and believe in is worth the inconveniences that come with living on a humble income.

Still aint got the cheese just to make these hits
Had to run Kickstarter for “A Time Like This”
Momma said
Boy why you beggin for bread
Need to quit
Need to quit it and get you a real gig

Although my Mother loves me, and even enjoys many of my songs and poems, she has never quite understood the idea of my art being my job. On my 2014 album “Alive and Ill”, the song “Nine to Five” begins with an interview with my Mom. She expresses her concerns about my lifestyle, ending the interview by saying, “I still think [Micah] needs a real job… Seriously!” Years later in 2017, my art has allowed me to tour the world. I’ve released more music and had bigger opportunities than I did in 2014, but I still don’t make a lot of money compared to most americans with a bachelor’s degree. When I began working on the album “A Time Like This”, I quickly ran out of money and decided to run a crowdfunding campaign to help me complete it. One day while hanging out with Momma, I explained to her what crowdfunding was, and how I was about to launch a kickstarter campaign for twenty thousand dollars. Her response was, and I quote, “See, you out here beggin’ for money!” She then proceeded to explain that people with real jobs don’t have to beg other people for money. At this point, I’ve come to accept that my Momma and I just see the world differently. Still though, her comments were discouraging, and we got into an argument. When I went home that night, I was doubting myself and my choices. Twenty thousand dollars was quite an ambitious amount, especially considering Kickstarter’s all or nothing policy. Even apart from the campaign, things were incredibly tight financially at that moment. I wondered if my Mom might be right. Maybe it was time to hang it up. I was thankful for all the things I’ve experienced through my art, but I hate asking other people for money. Was it time for me to get a “real job”?

Very next week went to spit some poetry
At open mic at Fox Coffee in Long Beach
A sister said
brotha, ya poetry changed me
A brotha said
brotha you speaking my story
Molested by a priest when I was a lil boy
Freakshow gonna help me to grow and move forward
Sold a couple discs made a few pesos
But I’m feelin like I’m swimmin’ in Oprah Queso
Everybody get it when I drop a new jawn
Free download at my name dot com
I don’t want ya money
I just wanna give life
‘Cause I got da joy dat money cannot buy

The week following the discouraging argument with my Mother, I had back to back performances at one of my favorite venues, Fox Coffee House in Long Beach, California. After one performance, a woman told me that my poetry changed her. She said, “I was sitting in the back corner of the room, and I could feel myself changing as I listened to your words.” During another poetry event, also held at Fox, I performed my poem “Freakshow”, in which I speak of forgiveness and healing between victims and their abusers. More specifically, I mention reconciliation between young boys and repentant catholic priests who molested or raped them. After the poem was finished, an older gentleman approached me in tears. He said, “You’re telling my story. That’s me, I was an altar boy.” He then thanked me and said, “I’ve never heard anyone talk about it the way you did. Everyone needs to hear this.” My own eyes welled up with tears of joy. In those moments, I felt like a billion bucks, I felt like the wealthiest person on the globe. I was no longer discouraged. When I have experiences like that, I’m reminded of why I do what I do. Of why I live how I live. Of why changing careers simply to live more comfortably is not an option for me. No amount of money can replace the joy I get from knowing my work is changing people, is helping people see things from a new perspective, is pushing people closer to truth and love of God.

I Got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I Got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money
Joy dat da money can’t buy

I’m the brokest one of all of my squad
But I’m happy as can be and they be hatin’ they jobs

I often get in discussions with my peers about work. After dozens of these conversations, I’ve realized two things. First, I make significantly less money than most of my friends. Second, I absolutely love what I do while the vast majority of my friends despise their jobs. Nearly all of them wish they were doing something else, even though, by most people’s standards, they have what would be considered, good jobs. And by good, I mean a job that pays well, offers benefits such as health and dental insurance, and some sort of retirement package. Being an independent artist offers none of these things, “but I’m happy as can be and they be hatin’ they jobs.” This lyric alluded to the song “Happy As Can Be” from my 2016 album “No Ugly Babies.”

Got a salary and benefits a car and a dog
Feelin hollow but they followed all the wisdom they got
Gotta go into debt if you ever wanna be rich
Don’t think about it just listen I’m tellin you what it is
Went to college had to borrows from the capitalists
Now instead of dreaming big they worried bout pay checks
To pay off they school debt then pick up a mortgage
Making them six figs but feel like some poor kids
Cause they livin’ on the edge of they means
But life is more than comfort and havin’ some nice things

In many ways, my peers have achieved the American dream. So why are they so unhappy? Because a life driven by the desire for comfort and wealth is empty. In the American version of capitalism, at the end of the day, the aim of most companies, regardless of the industry, is to make money. The purpose of most employment positions is to help the company make money. To spend eight plus hours a day simply working to make money is unfulfilling to most people, yet this lifestyle is encouraged by the culture. Hating your job is seen as normative and expected. It’s part of being an adult. Children play and have fun, university students are creative and naively passionate about making art and saving the world, while adults have responsibilities like mortgages, car payments and student loans. Most adults search for the highest paying job possible, and show up to work every day, never expecting to have fun, be creative, or passionate about what they do. The sad part is, many people arrive at this place not by making poor decisions, but by making what the culture considers good and wise decisions. In high school, the gospel of college is preached as our only hope in life. Kids are taught that if you don’t immediately go to a four year university, you are destined to be homeless or work a minimum wage job forever. There is even a stigma about the more affordable route of community college. Where I grew up, community college was was belittled as 13th grade. As American teenagers, we were brainwashed into believing we are destined for failure unless we conform to the university system at the expense of our own financial freedom. We were encouraged to take out loans. College debt is seen as normal, but only because we accept it. There is nothing normal, right or just about 21 year old students being thrown into the professional world with $37,000 of debt (the average debt for American students). That number can get even higher for those who seek postgraduate education. When you begin with such a deficit, of course your primary concern will be to make as much money as possible in order to dig yourself out of the whole. From the beginning of your adult life, you can’t afford to think about what you love, what you’re good at, or what is important to you. Rather, out of necessity, your career choice is heavily influenced by how much money you can make. And that is how we get sucked into the machine. I believe true fulfillment can only be found when we’re able to recognize and unlearn the lies we’ve believed concerning money and career.

One of the most destructive lies we believe, is that you should have all the things you can have. In other words, we believe it is good to live on the edge of our means. If people can afford a nicer car, they will get the nicer car. If they can make higher mortgage payments, they will move into the nicest possible home their paycheck will allow. When we live like this, there is no peace. Whether you make forty thousand dollars a year, or millions of dollars a year, you will be stressed out about money if you always upgrade your lifestyle as your income increases. When you’re spending as much as you possibly can, you might have a six figure salary and feel just as stressed about finances as when you made far less. Many Americans are “making them six figs but feel like some poor kids, ‘cause they livin’ on the edge of their means.” Learning to be content with having enough will bring peace to your soul and dollars to your savings account.

For those still young enough, debt is not your only option. Don’t believe people who say “You gotta go into debt if you ever wanna be rich. Don’t think about it, just listen, I’m tellin’ you what it is.” That is a lie. There are trade schools far more affordable than universities, and career options that do not require a four year degree. These positions are indispensable in society and should be held with pride. Also, community college is a respectable choice and can save you a lot of money if you desire a four year degree. You can also work as you learn. There is nothing wrong with being a part-time student. It might take you six or seven years to complete your bachelors, but graduating with little or no debt will offer you a peace well worth it. Go at your own pace and do not let society shame you into debt that it will not help you pay off.

For the artist, pursuing a career in the arts is just as valid a career path as anything else. Art is no less essential to society as government or business. There is no culture, no society without artists. But also, do not believe the lie that your art is not valid unless it becomes your primary or sole source of income. If you are an artist, you must create, whether your art pays your bills or not. Do not feel shame if you have to work another job to be able to make your art. The real shame would be abandoning your art completely to work a job you have no passion for. Do not neglect the creativity you’ve been blessed with. The artist life can be a struggle for sure, but do not be lured by the American dream. For most of my friends, the American dream has proven to be a nightmare. As they realized, “life is more than comfort and having some nice things.”

Lord I’m a good man
But my soul lean
Life so bland
What does all this mean?
Follow God give your wealth to the poor
Bet you walk away sad, you don’t want this joy

These lyrics are a reference to a story in the Bible about a wealthy young man. In his own eyes, he was a good person that lived a good life, yet for some reason, he had a sense that something was missing. In Matthew 19:20-22, the rich man said to Jesus, “All [the commandments] I have kept. What do I still lack”? This is a question many people in our culture ask themselves. If I’m a good person with good morals, and make good money, why do I feel empty, what do I still lack? Maybe Jesus says to you the same thing he said to this young man. “Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions”. Like this young man, so many people are dissatisfied with their lives, yet they are too attached to their comforts to take a risk. They are unwilling to follow Jesus into the generous, mysterious life of walking by faith and trusting God. Instead they cling to the safety of their large paycheck. By choosing money over the life of faith, you are choosing against joy. “You don’t want this joy”.

I Got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
I got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money
Joy dat da money can’t buy

Been broke
But we neva lose hope
Singin bout joy since whips and lynch ropes
Eyes on the prize since days of Jim Crow
Remixed our pain to Blues and Gospel

Black Americans are known for our joy. Our joy is powerful as we remained joyful while enduring some of history's greatest injustices. We were joyful through slavery, joyful through terrorism and lynchings, joyful through legalized discrimination, Jim Crow laws and segregation, and we are joyful today in the midsts of institutional racism, growing up in under resourced ghettos, enduring police brutality and wrongful imprisonment. One of the ways we have always retained our joy is through song. Black folks have invented new genres of music with each wave of oppression. During slavery, black people sang as they slaved away. Though there were plenty laments, there were also songs of hope and faith that became known as Negro Spirituals, and later, Gospel music. After slavery, dealing with extreme poverty and overt, legalized racism, the black community sang about their pain in what was eventually named blues music. Black instrumentalists would also play unpredictable, improvised expressions of their experiences. We called it jazz music. Most recently, black Americans have suffered through the difficult conditions of government-neglected inner city neighborhoods and project housing. This gave birth to hip hop music. Though each of these genres was birthed out of struggle, they bring about incredible joy! When you hear great blues artists sing about being flat-broke and heartbroken, you can’t help but grin as their raw, emotional vocals beat your eardrum with such beauty. When MCs rap about the dangerous neighborhood they were raised in, and the poverty they’re still trying to overcome, you bob your head and throw your hands in the air. Black folks have “remixed our pain to Blues and Gospel…” and jazz and hip hop as well. Who knows what genre we’ll invent next! The lyric, “eyes on the prize since days of Jim Crow” refers both to black people’s determination to overcome, as well as the song “Eyes On The Prize,” originally a folk song titled “Hand On The Plow”. The lyrics were altered and the song adapted into a gospel tune that was wildly popular during the American Civil Rights Movement. Mavis Staples’ version of “Eyes On The Prize” captures the spirit of the song and the moment in history best. Look it up and take a listen.

Faith in the Christ who favors poor folks
Ears to the cries that rise from ghettos
Not many wise or wealthy get chose
God gives the light to despised and low
Poor find pride and the proud humbled
Weak made strong and the shy made bold
Joy so full everybody wanna know
Where it come from so we gotta let ‘em know

As a member of an oppressed people group, I take much comfort in knowing that God operates in ways that contradict the kingdoms of this world. In this world, if you are poor, if you are not a member of the dominant culture, if you do not hold a position of power or possess wealth, you are unimportant. Thankfully, God don’t work like that. The final lyrics of the third verse were inspired by 1st Corinthians 1:26-29. “For consider your calling, brothers; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are.” Though God loves all people, there is no doubt that divine preference is given to oppressed people. To follow God means, like God, to be in favor of, and fight on behalf of those who are “low and despised in the world.” When you begin to live like this, the joy you experience is unexplainable. It is the joy of being in the presence of God. You begin to see God in the faces of the poor.

We got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
We got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
We got joy
Got joy
Got joy dat da money can’t buy
We got joy
Got joy
Got joy from Da Lord
Joy from Da Lord on high

In the final chorus I switch from “I got joy” to “we got joy”. In context, the we is referring to the community of black American believers who have remained faithful and joyful through centuries of hardship. However the we is an invitation to anyone who will stand with us, understanding our fulfillment does not come from achieving the empty american dream, but by following God with all our heart, no matter the cost.

Grace and Peace,

Micah

March 7, 2018

Chris Cambell

12 - Gimme Gimme Shuga

March 7, 2018

Chris Cambell

I'd encourage you to listen to the song and read through the lyrics before diving into the post.

Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme five
on the Blackhand side

Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme five
on the Blackhand side

Bbq’n chicken on da charcoal fire
Sumthin’ in da kitchen and it smell so nice
Grandma Harrell made the pretzel jello cream pie
Gimme Gimme five on the Blackhand side

Cookie say she comin Auntie Ann outside
Even uncle Larry said he finna stop by
Afros corn rows everybody fly
Gimme Gimme five on the Blackhand side

Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme five
on the Blackhand side

Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme five
on the Blackhand side

All the nephews is hoopin’
Nieces is jumpin’ rope
Old Folks gettin’ loud slappin’ down bones
Gene and Uncle Polk out back wit’ a smoke
Uncle Lin is sippin’ on somethin’ and crackin’ jokes

Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme five
on the Blackhand side

Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme five
on the Blackhand side

Bottles in the sky
Pour it to the ground
Remember the joy, the happiness and the smiles
Remember to love the ones that are still around
Gimme Gimme shuga like it’s goin’ out of style

Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme five
on the Blackhand side

Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme shuga
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme Gimme five
Gimme my roses while I’m still alive, yeah

I said Gimme my roses while I’m still alive, yeah
I said Gimme my roses while I’m still alive, yeah

Rest in peace Grandma Harrell
Rest in peace Cousin Cookie
Rest in peace Auntie Anne
Uncle Larry
Grandma Gene
Uncle Polk
Rip Uncle Lin
If you love your peoples
Betta let ‘em know while you still can

I said Gimme my roses while I’m still alive

12 - Gimme Gimme Shuga

The album “A Time Like This” addresses a lot of heavy topics, particularly issues of race in America. Despite centuries of outside forces trying to demoralize and destroy our community, black Americans have developed a rich and beautiful culture. “Gimme Gimme Shuga” is a celebration of black culture as a whole, as well as a tribute to my particular black family. Asking for shuga (sugar) is a southern American way of asking for a kiss, usually on the cheek between family, but it can also refer to romantic kisses between lovers. My paternal grandmother is from Prentiss, Mississippi. Every single time I saw her her as child, she would say “Gimme some shuga.”

Asking for a high five “on the blackhand side” is a way of celebrating blackness. A traditional high five or handshake is done with the palm of your hand. For most black people, the skin of the palm is much lighter than the backside of the hand. When we slap hands on the blackhand side, it simultaneously affirms friendship between the two individuals, as well as affirming the beauty of black identity and solidarity in the black community.

The lyrics of verses one and two paint the scene of a typical black family barbecue, also known as a cookout. Someone is grilling chicken in the backyard while others are preparing food in the kitchen. People show up wearing hairstyles that embrace the natural texture of black hair, “afros, corn rows (braids that lay flat on the head) , everybody fly.” The children are playing games popular among black youth. “All the nephews is hoopin’ (playing basketball), nieces is jumpin’ rope, (more specifically double dutch, a jump rope game that involves jumping between two revolving jump ropes). Old folks gettin’ loud slappin’ down bones.” The term “bones” is what black people call the game of dominoes. “Slappin’ bones” refers to the enthusiastic way someone lays a domino down on the table when they are excited. The card game of spades is also well loved by older generation black folks particularly. Spades is not in the lyrics of the song but needed to be mentioned in order to do the black family cookout justice.

Verses one and two are also filled with personal references to my family. “Grandma Harrell made the pretzel jello cream pie.” I have never known the actual name of this dessert, but my maternal grandmother has made a pretzel jello cream pie thing-a-ma-jig all my life. In recent years she taught my sister how to make it as well. This is the recipe which was being discussed in the intro to the song. All of the names mentioned in verses one and two are actual members of my family. Their various activities reflect them as individuals. My Grandma Gene and Uncle Polk both smoke cigarettes regularly. “Uncle Lin is sippin on somethin’ and crackin’ jokes.” My Uncle Lin is the family comedian with a contagious laugh. You don’t even have to know what he’s laughing about, you will just laugh because his laughter make you so happy. Everybody is gettin’ and givin’ shuga in this song.

In verse three, I honor members of the black community who have passed away. In black american culture, when a friend or family member dies, it is common to pour the first sip of a newly opened drink on the ground (usually some sort of alcohol), in honor of the recently deceased. Growing up, I was aware of this tradition, but never knew where it came from. I never questioned it either. Black folks just seemed to do it instinctively. A few years back I was able to take a trip to west Africa. While I was in Ghana, I met with professor Irene at the University of Accra. While she was talking, she explained that in local tribes, whenever a significant life event happens, like a family moving into a new home, or a marriage, people will gather while someone pours drink on the ground. This action is intended to call on the spirits of the ancestors to come and bless the new endeavor. My face lit up! I raised my hand and explained how black Americans pour drink on the ground for the recently deceased. I asked her if she thought this may have been a morphing of the west african ancestral blessing passed down through the centuries, especially considering that many American slaves came from the region of Ghana. She was unaware of the practice in black America before I told her, but she enthusiastically agreed with my hypothesis. She went on to explain a field of study called Africanisms, which explores traditions in the african diaspora, and makes connections back to african cultures. Black people in North and South America, the Caribbean, and all over the world have habits and traditions that they might not realize came from their roots in the motherland.

This verse is a reminder that we do not get to enjoy our loved ones forever. It is not only important to remember the dead, but to value the living, because the moments spent with them are precious and temporary.

The end of the song has an unexpected twist. The final chorus changes from “Gimme Gimme five on the blackhand side,” to “Gimme my roses while I’m still alive.” I then begin to list family members who have passed away. The listener might notice that every name mentioned at the end of the song was also mentioned earlier in verses one and two. The picture I painted of my family bbq is bittersweet. The song is upbeat and the cookout is going strong, but everyone in attendance has already passed away. This is not revealed until the end of the song. The song then goes from a mere celebration of black culture and black family to a piercing reminder to hold your loved ones tight while you still can. Let people know you appreciate them while they can still feel your love. Give them roses while they can still smell them. Gimme my roses while I’m still alive.

Grace and Peace,

Micah

February 28, 2018

Chris Cambell

11 - A Hill Worth Dying On (FT Beth May)

February 28, 2018

Chris Cambell

I'd encourage you to listen to the song and read through the lyrics before diving into the post.

BOTH: Before I left for college, my mom told me
Beth: Study hard
Micah: Read ya Bible
Beth: Don’t get pregnant
Micah: Don’t you bring home no White girl…
She was joking
Beth: Of course she was joking
Micah: It’s not like moms is racist or nothin’

Beth Before I left for college my dad told me
Don’t fall in love with anyone you’re ashamed to introduce to your parents
I remember my dad sinking into the couch to watch local news
He said
“Black Lives Matter is a terrorist organization”
He said he was joking

Micah: Was he joking?

Both: Don’t fall in love with anyone you’re ashamed to introduce to your parents

Micah: The freedom to fall in love with whoever I fall in love with would be nice
But every time I’m attracted to a light-skinned woman
I have to check my self-hatred
Would I fall for a darker version of her too?
Light complexion is not a virtue
Should not be a plus

Beth: Every time I’m attracted to a man with dark skin
I have to check my self hatred
Do I have a fetish? Because I do want to touch his hair
My skin feels like a ghost under the sheets my ancestors wore

Micah: Then one of my Black homies said,
“bruh, if you keep talkin’ all this pro-Black stuff
And marry a White girl, you lose all credibility ”

Beth: Then one of my White friends said,
“girl, you could never love a Black man while your understanding of Blackness is just a hypothesis.”

Both: And I knew they were wrong
And I knew they were right

Micah: But love is a hill worth dying on
And If I date a White woman
She needs to understand
I will never lecture Black women for feeling abandoned
For hoping someone outside of themselves would love them
For expecting those someones to be the sons they gave life
And if my White girlfriend can’t tell the difference between
My heartbroken mother and her racist father
She was never gonna last anyway
She was bound to leave when she realized my penis wasn’t any bigger
And her fantasies were just that
If you wanna date Black don’t expect applause

Beth: But love is a hill worth dying on
I know an interracial relationship is not going to cure racism
Not even internally
I’m screaming Black is beautiful
I’m really just screaming I’m not racist
Just so everyone knows
I’m not racist
I’m not racist
BUT
What if I am?
What if I don’t say the right thing?
What if I actually say the wrong thing?
Because it’s tradition to say I don’t, but I do see color
And I’m trying to see it better
If I fall in love with a Black guy I hope he understands
I’m trying

Both: Because it’s love that makes me want to understand our differences, not erase them

Beth: But I forgot this isn’t a love poem

Micah: This isn’t a love poem
This is all hypothetical
Love is a hill worth dying on
But there’s a gap between theory and practice

Both: I might chicken out
Micah: I might accidently-on-purpose stop holdin’ your hand in a room full of Blackness
Beth: I might not introduce you to my parents... not now, not yet

Both: I might let racism and its effects keep me from loving you right
But I could never be ashamed of you
I’ll be ashamed of myself

11 - A Hill Worth Dying On (FT Beth May)

Even for those who believe racism is a problem in America, few Americans believe that they themselves are racist. A lot of younger Americans however will readily admit that their parents, grandparents, uncles or aunties have prejudice views. Whether you believe that you or your family is racist or not, engaging in an interracial romance is one of the most revealing experiences you can have. Most people who do not believe they have any sort of racial prejudice do not think they would have a problem with being in an interracial relationship. Speaking from experiences of myself and friends, interracial relationships forces you to confront deeply rooted prejudice in your own heart and in your family/community. It is particularly confronting for younger people who seem to disagree so strongly with their parents on racial issues. You begin to realize that the people who raised you inevitably had a deep impact on your thinking and subconscious assumptions. This poem, “A Hill Worth Dying On” repeats the phrase “Don’t fall in love with anyone you’re ashamed to introduce to your parents”. That line is tricky and changes meaning throughout the poem. At first it seems logical to be ashamed to introduce your partner of a different ethnicity to parents with archaic views on race, but in situations like this, you begin to realize, maybe the blame does not lie on the parents or other disapproving friends or family. Could there possibly be prejudice in your own heart that is causing the hesitation? Or at the very least ,cowardice that is unwilling to stand against prejudice. After all, if you’re in a healthy, loving relationship but ashamed to introduce someone to your parents, maybe the problem is within. Maybe you subconsciously bow to views you consciously reject, or maybe you realize you agree with them.

Micah: The freedom to fall in love with whoever I fall in love with would be nice
But every time I’m attracted to a light-skinned woman
I have to check my self-hatred
Would I fall for a darker version of her too?
Light complexion is not a virtue
Should not be a plus

Beth: Every time I’m attracted to a man with dark skin
I have to check my self hatred
Do I have a fetish? Because I do want to touch his hair
My skin feels like a ghost under the sheets my ancestors wore

Micah: Then one of my Black homies said,
“bruh, if you keep talkin’ all this pro-Black stuff
And marry a White girl, you lose all credibility ”

Beth: Then one of my White friends said,
“girl, you could never love a Black man while your understanding of Blackness is just a hypothesis.”

Both: And I knew they were wrong
And I knew they were right

Is it natural to have physical trait preferences when it comes to dating? Is it wrong to prefer tall or short, voluptuous or petite, asian, arab, latin, black or white? Is there a way to have a particular interest in one people group without fetishizing them and discriminating against others? Maybe, but so often our preferences are heavily influenced by prejudice cultural standards of beauty. As discussed in the song “Kissed”, after centuries of white supremacist brainwashing, lighter skinned people are considered more attractive in America and other nations that have been victims of European colonization. Also, among many different ethnicities, dating outside of your particular heritage is frowned upon. This causes some to discriminate against those who aren’t in their ethnic group when looking for a partner, while causing others to seek partners outside of their ethnic group, not out of love, but immature rebellion, out of a selfish desire for forbidden fruit instead of a genuine appreciation of another person and their culture. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who you date, what matters is why. Check your motivation. “Every time I’m attracted to light-skinned woman, I have to check my self-hatred”. Do I find her fair skin and flowing hair beautiful because I feel a connection to her as an individual, and appreciate all of who she is? Or do I find her fair skin and flowing hair beautiful because I appreciate all of who she is not, namely a dark-skinned, coarse haired person who I’ve been brainwashed to find unattractive?

Beth May, the co-author of this poem has to check her self-hatred for different reasons. As a white woman, the black man is the exotic other. The ultimate forbidden fruit. As most things forbidden, that usually creates more curiosity, but is it a genuine curiosity, or, as Beth asks herself, “do I have a fetish”? Beth also alludes to feelings of white guilt when considering an interracial romance. In some ways, for white women, white guilt can make dating a black man more appealing, as white men are considered the ultimate oppressor by many. If a white woman habitually dates black men or other minorities, could this be an expression of self-hate? Could it be more out of disgust towards the men in her own culture? But as a white person, Beth has also benefits from white privilege. She wrestles with whether or not she even deserves to love a minority? Does she have a right to love a black person romantically? It is true that in America, interracial relationships often feel the burden of all of U.S. history, slavery, lynchings, the KKK, segregation and so on. Beth explains “my skin feels like a ghost under the sheets my ancestors wore”. At different points in our lives, Beth and I have been told we shouldn’t consider an interracial relationship due to all the complexity. Our response? “I knew they were wrong. I knew they were right”. It is naive to think loving someone from a different culture (especially in America) will be easy. Our friends are both right and wrong. Right in recognizing that it will be incredibly difficult, wrong in suggesting that we shouldn’t do it, because love is a hill worth dying on.

Micah: But love is a hill worth dying on
And If I date a White woman
She needs to understand
I will never lecture Black women for feeling abandoned
For hoping someone outside of themselves would love them
For expecting those someones to be the sons they gave life
And if my White girlfriend can’t tell the difference between
My heartbroken mother and her racist father
She was never gonna last anyway
She was bound to leave when she realized my penis wasn’t any bigger
And her fantasies were just that
If you wanna date Black don’t expect applause

Interracial relationships between any two people from different cultures can be challenging, but in the American context, there is something particularly challenging about black men in romantic relationships with white women. This seems to be the most common as well as most controversial type of interracial relationship. The poem began with a real quote from my mother. “Before I left for college my mom told me… ‘don’t bring home no white girl’”. Black women are often bothered, saddened or even angered when they see black men dating white women. On the surface level, this may look like hatred of white women, but it most definitely is not. There are many reasons why the feelings of hurt are not hate. First, in America, the white woman is seen as the epitome of beauty. Black women are taught by culture that they are inferior, less attractive, and less desirable as partners than white women. Because white traits are seen as beautiful, black girls will often straighten their coarse hair, avoid the sun at all costs out of fear of getting darker etc. Some black women overcome these beliefs and recognize the lies they were taught, but they still exist in a culture in which people act as if those lies are true. It is particularly hurtful when black men seem to be operating under the influence of the lies. Because of the frequency of occurrence, it seems that black men, by often dating white women, are affirming the idea that white women are more attractive and superior partners. Now, is it possible for a black man to appreciate the beauty of black women and just so happen to fall in love with a white woman? Of course, but if he is aware of the complexities of history and culture, he will be sensitive to the fact that his relationship with a white woman could remind black women of the deeply rooted lies that have caused them so much pain. This is why I say, “If I date a white woman, she needs to understand, I will never lecture black women for feeling abandoned. For hoping someone outside of themselves would love them. For expecting those someones to be the sons they gave life.” Some might ask, why are black women so possessive of black men, why are they so exclusive in their dating practices, why don’t black women just date white men and men from other cultures? Why do black women feel like white women are stealing their men? One reason for this is that white men rarely show interest in dating black women. Black women are seldom approached by any other people group besides black men, and even black men are doing so less frequently. Black women hope, but are beginning to expect less and less, that at the very least, black men, their own people, will appreciate the beauty of the black woman. All of this and more went into my mother’s words, “don’t bring home no white girl”. This is not about hating white women at all. It is about a black woman hoping her son chooses a black woman as a partner, and thereby affirming the beauty of his partner, his mother, and all black women who’ve been told they are not beautiful because they are not like white women. At its core, that is a positive desire and fundamentally different from a white parent who doesn’t want his daughter marrying a black man because he believes the racist stereotypes about black men. “If my white girlfriend can’t tell the difference between my heartbroken mother and her racist father, she was never gonna last anyway.”

Another thing that makes interracial relationships between black men and white women particularly challenging are the myths surrounding black male sexuality. In U.S. history, black men were demonized as beasts with overgrown penises and uncontrollable sexual desires. This was used to discourage white women from engaging with black men, and justified the lynching of black men who had any contact with white women, sometimes even just a look could lead to death. “Because men of color are ruled by the flesh and not the mind, white control of their darker bodies is justified, to ensure, protect, and advance civilization. And how was this control maintained? Black men as sexual predators were controlled by lynching and castration (De LaTorre 46).” As time went on however, this myth of the black male rapist morphed into something its inventors never intended. The fear of rape was replaced by the fantasy of a black man with a super penis and exceptional sexual abilities. In his book “A Lily Among Thorns: Imagining A New Christian Sexuality” De La Torre writes “ Euro-Americans have historically been taught, through images in popular culture, that males of color are overly sexualized beings who invoke both fascination with and fear of their prowess. We’ve all heard about the exploits of hot blooded latin-lovers, or the locker room remarks about the larger size of the black penis when compared to that of whites (although statistically speaking, all penises, regardless of color, are on average about the same length when flaccid: 4.8 inches) (De La Torre 40)”. Because of these myths, white women are often intrigued by black men. Black men as well occasionally capitalize off of the fantasies about them to gain sexual partners. The only way an interracial relationship can be beautiful is if it is free of such lies. There is nothing sexy about someone being attracted to you due to sexual fantasy rooted in racism. Black men ought to respect themselves too much to engage in relationships with white women looking to fulfill a fantasy and taste a forbidden fruit. A woman like that “was bound to leave when she realized my penis wasn’t any bigger, and her fantasies were just that. If you wanna date black don’t expect applause.” When I say, “if you wanna date black, don’t expect applause,” I don’t meant to discourage interracial dating. I’m encouraging people to have realistic ideas about it. To understand just how difficult it is. Relationships are hard enough as is. Interracial relationships add another layer of complexity. This of course is worth it if you are in love, but if you choose an interracial relationship, you must be willing to be patient, to learn, to not make quick judgements and to confront the prejudice still inside you.

Beth: But love is a hill worth dying on
I know an interracial relationship is not going to cure racism
Not even internally
I’m screaming Black is beautiful
I’m really just screaming I’m not racist
Just so everyone knows
I’m not racist
I’m not racist
BUT
What if I am?
What if I don’t say the right thing?
What if I actually say the wrong thing?
Because it’s tradition to say I don’t, but I do see color
And I’m trying to see it better
If I fall in love with a Black guy I hope he understands
I’m trying

As Beth points out, “an interracial relationship is not going to cure racism, not even internally.” You can be in a relationship with someone from a different people group and still be racist towards that people group, but an interracial relationship will certainly help you appear to be against racism. Sadly, many Americans are more concerned with not appearing racist than they are with actually uprooting the racist beliefs deep in their hearts. Beth again questions her motivation not only in considering an interracial relationship, but also in her basic advocacy. When you align yourself with the causes of oppressed people, is it due to true conviction leading to action and life change, or is it a superficial desire to not be seen as ignorant? Beth is torn, “I’m scared that when I’m screaming black is beautiful
I’m really just screaming I’m not racist! Just so everyone knows, I’m not racist! I’m not racist!” This posture of self-reflection is healthy and necessary when navigating the troubled waters of race and interracial dating. Beth worries “what if I don’t say the right thing? What if I actually say the wrong thing”? To be honest, if you ever find yourself in an interracial relationship, you will say and do the wrong thing from time to time. What’s important is humility and resilience. Don’t be too proud to admit mistakes, and don’t give up hope. Interracial dating is a challenge, but love is a hill worth dying on.

Both: Because it’s love that makes me want to understand our differences, not erase them

Beth: But I forgot this isn’t a love poem

Micah: This isn’t a love poem
This is all hypothetical
Love is a hill worth dying on
But there’s a gap between theory and practice

Both: I might chicken out
Micah: I might accidently-on-purpose stop holdin’ your hand in a room full of Blackness
Beth: I might not introduce you to my parents... not now, not yet

Both: I might let racism and its effects keep me from loving you right
But I could never be ashamed of you
I’ll be ashamed of myself

People who are truly in love are proud to be together. Healthy interracial couples should also be proud. If you find yourself feeling ashamed of your partner due to their color and culture, the problem is within. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, and work towards ridding yourself of the prejudice in your own heart.

Grace and Peace,

Micah

February 27, 2018

Chris Cambell

10 - Boo Thang (FT Lauren Nicole)

February 27, 2018

Chris Cambell

I'd encourage you to listen to the song and read through the lyrics before diving into the post.

Micah: I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game
I don’t need it but I want it
If you bout it let me know
and baby maybe I could be your boo thang
Lauren: I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game
I don’t need it but I want it
If you bout it let me know
and baby maybe I could be your boo thang
Both: You could be my boo thang
boo thang
Micah: Girl
Lauren: Boy
Both: Baby maybe we could try a new thang

Micah: I want a woke love
Lauren: A partner in hope love
Micah: A make ya feel rich when ya flat broke love
Lauren: A generous rather give than accept love
Micah: We livin’ on less even if we come up
Lauren: I want a bold love
Micah: A never conform love
Lauren: A white picket fence is never the goal love
Micah: A push ya to ya limits and helping ya grow love
Lauren: A do what we thought was impossible befo’ love
Micah: I want a real love
Lauren: A say how you feel love
Micah: Honest and patient no manipulation here love
Lauren: This ain’t a game love
Micah: No shifting the blame love
Both: I’m sorry please forgive me when I cause you pain love
Lauren: I want a young love
Micah: A silly and dumb love
Lauren: A never get too grown to have us some fun love
Both: A you get on my nerves
Micah: But you still the one love
Lauren: Never my fate
Micah: Choose you every single day love

Lauren: I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game
I don’t need it but I want it
If you bout it let me know
and baby maybe I could be your boo thang
Micah: I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game
I don’t need it but I want it
If you bout it let me know
and baby maybe I could be your boo thang

Micah:
Ain’t nobody walkin’ round with half of a heart
If you ain’t got you a partner better love who you are
Steady mopin’ feelin’ lonely thinkin’ love is the fix
Guarantee you little homie you ain’t ready for it
If you sad independent, you gone be sad hitched
How you finna be in love if you don’t got it to give?
Fall in love with a deli
Fall in love with a park
Fall in love with a novel
Music poetry art
Fall in love with the God
Who created it all
So if you ever fall in love
You can share who you are
You’ll never find your other half in someone else’s arms
Completed in Jesus since I put my faith in the Lord
Romance is nice but life is much more
Single, married divorced keep loving and march forth
Romance is nice but life is much more
Single married divorced, keep lovin… keep livin’

Both: I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game
I don’t need it but I want it
If you bout it let me know
and baby maybe I could be your boo thang
I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game
I don’t need it but I want it
If you bout it let me know
and baby maybe I could be your boo thang
You could be my boo thang
boo thang
Micah: Girl
Lauren: Boy
Both: Baby maybe we could try a new thang

Micah:
If I ever find love
I been lettin’ it burn
So I ain’t no Don Juan but I’m eager to learn
Will you please let me know how I can please you
If at first we don’t succeed we can re-do
Baby you intellectual
I’m a sapiosexual
Eat you up like a vegetable ‘cause you healthy for me
This is pure matrimony
Even our nasty is holy
So ain’t no shame in the mornin’
You want two waffles or three?
Yo it’s lovely to dream
But if it never come true
Yeah I’ll be disappointed but I got livin’ to do
I got a bachelor savior who came to show me the way
Turn that water into wine
Lovin’ life every day

Micah: I been
I been
I been thinkin’ that you fly girl
I been
I been
I been thinkin’ that you fly girl
I been watchin’
I been scopin’
I been prayin’
I been hopin’
that one day
Mmm mmm mmm maybe you be my girl

Lauren: I been
I been
I been thinkin’ that you fly guy
I been
I been
I been thinkin’ that you fly guy
I been watchin’
I been scopin’
I been prayin’
I been hopin’
that one day
Mmm mmm mmm maybe you be my guy

Both: But If you ain’t about it

Ima be okay
Ima be okay

Micah: ‘Cause I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game

Lauren: I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game

Micah: Romance
I don’t need it but I want it
Romance
I don’t need it but I want it
But if it never come my way

Lauren: Ima be okay
Ima be okay
Ima be okay

10 - Boo Thang (FT Lauren Nicole)

“I don’t need it but I want it.” That is my posture towards romance. It is a significant shift from my younger thinking. Humans are relational beings, we need community to be healthy. Romance however is not a need, it’s a desire. When I was younger I felt like it was a need, a human right. I thought, simply due to the fact that I was born, God, fate, or the universe owed me a romantic partner. This type of thinking is destructive and leads to perpetual discontent. A few years back, I had an incredible realization... I was happy! I felt complete and content as a non married person. As I’m writing this, I’m not even in a dating relationship. “I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang” and I’m loving it. Realizing I was content in life even when I was not in a relationship helped me shift my thinking about relationships. I no longer expect someone else to make me feel complete. My sense of fulfilment is a result of living a courageous life of faith, hope, love, and creativity. Romance has shifted from something I felt I needed to something I want. I would be glad to share my life and my love with someone else.

Micah: I want a woke love
Lauren: A partner in hope love

Originally this song was titled “Woke Love”. The first verse in particular is heavy on the theme of woke love. A “woke” person is an individual who is aware, concerned and involved in issues related to social justice. When it comes to romance, I do not want an isolating selfish romance that is only about the two of us. As the opening line of verse one explains, “I want a woke love, a partner in hope love.” I desire a partner who cares about justice. I’d like to stand side by side with my partner as we use our gifts and resources to bring hope to the most vulnerable in the world.

Micah: A make ya feel rich when ya flat broke love
Lauren: A generous rather give than accept love
Micah: We livin’ on less even if we come up

I also desire a partner who is not attached to money or material possessions. I hope the strength of our bond creates a feeling of great blessing no matter how tight things are financially. I want a partner who believes and practices the principle of Jesus, “in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35). Even if my partner and I generate a handsome income, I desire someone who does not want to live on the edge of our means, but someone willing to live on significantly less than our means in order to make room for radical generosity.

Lauren: I want a bold love
Micah: A never conform love
Lauren: A white picket fence is never the goal love
Micah: A push ya to ya limits and helping ya grow love
Lauren: A do what we thought was impossible befo’ love

I desire a relationship that does not bow to social expectations. I do not believe a healthy relationship makes you feel butterflies and comfort all the time. When someone really loves you, they challenge you and motivate you to grow. They push you out of your comfort zone and help you reach your full potential. I do not want to be with anyone who aims for the standard american dream of suburban living in a prosperous and safe community. I’ve seen too many passionate people drown their fire in a pool of comfort.

Micah: I want a real love
Lauren: A say how you feel love
Micah: Honest and patient no manipulation here love
Lauren: This ain’t a game love
Micah: No shifting the blame love
Both: I’m sorry please forgive me when I cause you pain love

So many relationships end due to poor communication. I desire a partner that is willing to be direct and vulnerable. So often, due to fear, or an attempt to have an upper hand, people are not honest about their experiences and emotions in a relationship. People often manipulate each other through passive aggressive behavior, sarcasm, deceit etc. I desire a relationship in which there is open and honest communication along with humility. I hope my partner and I will both have the humility and courage to own up to our mistakes and forgive each other instead of trying to shift the blame.

Lauren: I want a young love
Micah: A silly and dumb love
Lauren: A never get too grown to have us some fun love
Both: A you get on my nerves
Micah: But you still the one love

There is something inherently child-like about romance. When people are in love, the most eloquent person can be at a loss for words. The most courageous person can feel nervous with a stomach full of butterflies. The most mature adults can transform into giggly children, addicted to tickle-wars and food fights. The most patient person can be annoyed by their partner’s silliness. As a poet and hopeful romantic, I celebrate the child-like aspects of romance. If I ever get married, I hope my partner and I enjoy child-like fun and innocence in each other’s love.

Lauren: Never my fate
Micah: Choose you every single day love

I do not believe there is one person specifically crafted by God for me. In fact, that seems to take away the romance. For me, the most romantic element of love is choice. Out of the 7 billion humans on planet earth, you and your partner choose each other, daily. What a gift. I want my partner to know that I was not drawn to them by fate. I was not powerless against some irresistible gravitational pull, but rather each day I wake up, I choose them, and I hope they do the same for me.

Lauren: I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game
I don’t need it but I want it
If you bout it let me know
and baby maybe I could be your boo thang
Micah: I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game
I don’t need it but I want it
If you bout it let me know
and baby maybe I could be your boo thang

Micah:
Ain’t nobody walkin’ round with half of a heart
If you ain’t got you a partner better love who you are
Steady mopin’ feelin’ lonely thinkin’ love is the fix
Guarantee you little homie you ain’t ready for it
If you sad independent, you gone be sad hitched
How you finna be in love if you don’t got it to give?
Fall in love with a deli
Fall in love with a park
Fall in love with a novel
Music poetry art
Fall in love with the God
Who created it all
So if you ever fall in love
You can share who you are
You’ll never find your other half in someone else’s arms
Completed in Jesus since I put my faith in the Lord

When a person falls in love, there is an American idiom that says they have “found their other half.” This saying suggests that a single person is not a complete person. It suggests that a single person is bound to be in a constant state of lack until they find another half-person, fall in love, and the two half-persons complete each other. Some find this idea to be romantic, or even an accurate description of the emotions they experienced before and after finding their partner. Even if this concept feels true in your experience, it is not true, it is never true. No one is half a human. As the first line of verse two states, “Ain’t nobody walkin’ round with half of a heart”. This idea often sets people up for disappointment. They spend their whole life longing for a partner, expecting the partner to fulfill them, only to find someone and realize their partner is also an imperfect being with quirks and bad habits and shortcomings. Being in a relationship is not a cure for chronic loneliness or any other sense of deep spiritual void. Living a life of faith, community, generosity, creativity, risk, inquisitiveness, physical and mental health maintenance, and platonic love, among other things, will not only create a sense of fulfillment in a single person, but if they ever do meet someone, it will make them a better partner. Instead of waiting for someone to give you all the love, community, and passion you desire, you will be able to share the love, community and passion you’re already living. You will be able to give, and enhance another person’s life instead of depending on them to fill what is empty in yours. As a person of Christian faith, I believe I am “completed in Jesus.” I believe that God has created and blessed me with everything I need to live a purposeful, beautiful life, with or without a romantic relationship.

Romance is nice but life is much more
Single, married divorced keep loving and march forth
Romance is nice but life is much more
Single married divorced, keep lovin… keep livin’

Both: I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game
I don’t need it but I want it
If you bout it let me know
and baby maybe I could be your boo thang
I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game
I don’t need it but I want it
If you bout it let me know
and baby maybe I could be your boo thang
You could be my boo thang
boo thang
Micah: Girl
Lauren: Boy
Both: Baby maybe we could try a new thang

Micah:
If I ever find love
I been lettin’ it burn
So I ain’t no Don Juan but I’m eager to learn
Will you please let me know how I can please you
If at first we don’t succeed we can re-do
Baby you intellectual
I’m a sapiosexual
Eat you up like a vegetable ‘cause you healthy for me
This is pure matrimony
Even our nasty is holy
So ain’t no shame in the mornin’
You want two waffles or three?

In verse three I express my desire to experience sexual intimacy with my future spouse. I am a 29 year old virgin. I am not embarrassed by my lack of experience, quite the opposite, the possibility of discovering more about my sexuality with someone I’m committed to for life is an exciting thing. I am excited that my partner and I can discover each other in an environment free of shame or fear of abandonment. If the day ever comes, “ I ain’t no Don Juan, but I’m eager to learn.” We can be as free and curious and quirky as we want in a marriage that has chosen to honor God. In this context, “even our nasty is holy”. This line is also a reference to a poem titled “What The Back Of His T-Shirt Should Have Said”, which can be found on my first spoken word poetry album “The Man Without A Name”.

Yo it’s lovely to dream
But if it never come true
Yeah I’ll be disappointed but I got livin’ to do
I got a bachelor savior who came to show me the way
Turn that water into wine
Lovin’ life every day

Though I know I do not need it, I do want romance. I do want to be married, and I will definitely be disappointed if I never have that experience. But I’ll also be disappointed if I never get to go to South America. No one can experience everything this life has to offer, but we must keep living. And we cannot consider ourselves at a disadvantage simply because others might have things we desire. As a person of Christian faith, it is particularly foolish to believe a single person is completed by romance. It makes no sense to believe you are bound to be deficient or unfulfilled until marriage considering that the Christian life is to be modeled after Jesus Christ. Jesus was not married and yet lived the most complete, fulfilling and purposeful life one could imagine. And he lived it up in his singleness. He did important worked but he also knew how to have a good time, so much so that he was accused of being a party animal who rolled with a questionable crew. “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners’” (Luke 7:34)! Jesus indeed knew how to enjoy life. His first documented miracle was turning water into wine so a wedding reception could continue late into the night (John 2:1-11). He celebrated marriage for his friends while living a full and beautiful life of singleness.

Micah: I been
I been
I been thinkin’ that you fly girl
I been
I been
I been thinkin’ that you fly girl
I been watchin’
I been scopin’
I been prayin’
I been hopin’
that one day
Mmm mmm mmm maybe you be my girl

Lauren: I been
I been
I been thinkin’ that you fly guy
I been
I been
I been thinkin’ that you fly guy
I been watchin’
I been scopin’
I been prayin’
I been hopin’
that one day
Mmm mmm mmm maybe you be my guy

Both: But If you ain’t about it

Ima be okay
Ima be okay

Micah: ‘Cause I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game

Lauren: I been livin’ I been doin’ my thang
I been livin’ I been killin’ this game

Micah: Romance
I don’t need it but I want it
Romance
I don’t need it but I want it
But if it never come my way

Lauren: Ima be okay
Ima be okay
Ima be okay

Grace and Peace,

Micah