When do we stop with the dumb ass “keep it real” mentality? I’ve heard all types of dumb ass runaround reasonings for what’s real and what isn’t. Some of us portray images and act dumb when things happen.

For instance, you sell drugs, shoot up and terrorize a neighborhood and when someone calls the cops they’re a snitch. Ok, I thought a snitch would be the person doin’ dirt with you that cops a plea and tells on you to get themselves off. I did not know it was the parent afraid to bring their kids or themselves outside the house in fear of the dangers that lurk when someone decides to shoot at anyone in the vicinity over some bullshit.

We call women bitches without seeing what may cause them to act the way they do at times. A dude will say they need more than one woman but get mad if their main woman gets attention somewhere else and in attempts to save his claim as all man he’ll call her all types of names. Did it ever occur to him that that one woman could encompass all the things the others seem to have? Be it a physical thing how can you not see the human need for a sense of committed intimacy. Women are emotional beings and not everyone wants to share.

Our leaders stand up and speak, we hoot and holler but when they are no longer in the forefront we fall back into our regular routines. There’s not gonna be another Malcolm, Martin, Huey or Marcus. Who says there has to be? Reaching out and bringing up a people doesn’t always involve a bullhorn. A child seeing his parents with sagging pants, cursing and smoking will most likely folllow that pattern. That same child seeing their parents working hard, showing love to their community and helping others will no doubtedly see their sense of worth.

A woman will put on hair, nails, makeup, breast and butt implants and think that makes them prettier. From the outside sure you may improve upon your former selves but did it make you look better or look more like somebody else? Hey, it’s all good right? Some won’t ever let you see them without it. So will anybody truly know who you are? I know, I know, it ain’t about nobody else….

We talk slang to each other but when we’re looking for a job our intelligence and mastery of the english language comes out. Not to say intelligent conversations don’t happen but we’ll converse and move on some bullshit quicker than something that will sustain life. We’ll help those who can help us and push who may need it more to the side. Obsessed with status we’ll promote ourselves to convince others we’re worth listening to and being known even if what we’re talking about is foolishness.

I think the truest rap line I ever heard was by Jadakiss in “Kiss of Death” when he said “you look a nigga in the eye you can tell if he timid”. To me this line is more than a call to be the hardest person on the planet. You really can tell a lot about a person by looking in their eyes.
Whether it’s on a street, business or life level a lot of people who scream keep it real, keep it real fake. Like some say, “real recognize real”, I’d like to add that real recognize fake too.