Legendary Encounter: True Story!

Walking with my sons in a stroller one day, I see this brotha across the street staring at me. He looks just like Paul Mooney, the comedian and former writer for Richard Pryor. Paul does very serious, very funny commentary on white racism, black foolishness and everything inbetween so I was truly amazed to realize that it was indeed THE Paul Mooney wearing a crazy get up walking toward me with a grin, holding a cigarette proclaiming "Hey, I know what you like to do!" Presumably he was insinuating that I like to have sex a lot because I have 2 children but I am quick to point out to people who make that assumption that it only proves that I enjoyed myself twice in the last 5 years for approximately 5 - 12 minutes each time. I ain't saying I even know exactly how long it took or that those are the only times I had relations but I'm just making a point: Kids don't equal oversexed black man, a stereotype brothas usually revel in whether the assumption is true or false. But all of this would be lost on the legendary Paul Mooney, making a punch line out of my late afternoon stroll with my kids. I realize instantly that he doesn't perform for an audience, he amuses himself, everywhere he goes. The world is his entertainment. Such is the life of a black comedian. When we are not angry, we think shit is hella funny and will revel in the humor of a situation as long as possible.

Sporting this grin, Paul Mooney walks right up to me to shake my hand. I greet him like I know him "Hey Paul, how you doing!" We share pleasantries and continue on our separate journeys, and I think to myself, 'no ones going to believe this!'

Fatherhood flashes

I used the bathroom today and my son Elijah ran into the bathroom to use it after me. He did his business and promptly ran out of the bathroom. I yelled to him "Hey, you not going to flush?" and without breaking stride, in a whimsical tone he said "No". Needless to say I made him come back and flush (and wash his hands) but just goes to show that retorical questions don't always work with 4 year olds.
The other day I went to the market to get some stuff. I had my boys with me. I am leaving and see a brotha in the parking lot selling Obama t-shirts. I make a comment, he makes a pitch "got all sizes, just $10, etc." Then the shopping cart that I am pushing my sons in suddenly stops. Apparently they have an invisible boundary a few feet from the store and if you cross it the wheels lock and the cart stops right in it's tracks. I am scooping Cameron and the brotha doesn't miss a beat and grabs Elijah up out of the cart. I had several silent reactions in a split second.
1. I got this bruh, no need to invade my invisible family bubble. Personal space, personal space!
2. Thanks bro, it takes a village to raise a child, each one teach one, Umoja! Good looking out.
3. But dude, I DON"T KNOW YOU. Why are you so quick to grab my son, not cool.
4. He's setting him down gently, Elijahs not freaked out, that was helpful, okay, thanks man.
5. I hope he don't think I am going to buy his t-shirt.

Then finally I say out loud, "Thanks man, take it easy, aright"

Can we all get along? Hell naw!

With the tragic killing of Oscar Grant in Oakland by a BART police, young people took to the streets and raised hell. There were demonstrations, many of them organized, coordinated, and peaceful. And some of them was just raising hell. Breaking windows, burning cars, confronting police, etc. The family pleads for peace and says "Oscar would not have wanted people (rioting) in the streets, etc..." It was reminicient of the Rodney King "Can we all just get along" plea during the LA riots.
Well, for the record, if I get shot in the back while unarmed, face down by a cop, I want lots of rioting. Property damage is unfortunate for those business owners and car owners who got caught in the riot but it doesn't compare to the loss of life and a statement has to be made.

I know this ain't the politically correct thing for an over 30 person who pays all his taxes to say but fuck that. People can't do the silent protest thing when the Mayor hadn't said nothing and the district attorney wasn't talking about an investigation or nothing. Now, after the riots, you have the Mayor talking all day and night about it, demanding an independent police investigation and the district attorney promising an investigation. I don't think speaker cards at the City council meeting would have gotten the same attention and traction a good old fashioned riot brings. So if I get done wrong, I'ma need ya'll to raise some hell!