Come on ya'll now, let's be real
Some jokers got a rough time keepin' it concealed
I wonder what it mean, it's probably self-esteem
They fiendin to be seen, get hemmed like Gaberdeens
Cats think it can't happen until the gats start clappin
They comin' down the wire spittin fire like a dragon
Cause while the goods glisten, certain eyes take position
To observe your trick, and then catch that ass slippin'
Like, come on now ock, what you expect?
Got a month's paycheck danglin' off your neck
And while you Cristal sippin', they rubbin' up they mittens
With heat in mint condition to start the getti-gettin'
They clique starts creepin' like Sandinistin guerrillas
You screamin' playa haters, these niggas is playa killers
Mr. Fash-ion, that style never last long
The harder you flash, the harder you get flashed on
There's hunger in the street that is hard to defeat
Many steal for sport, but more steal to eat
Cat's heavy at the weigh-in, and he's playin' for keeps
Don't sleep, they'll roll up in your passengers seat
There is universal law, whether rich or poor
Some say life's a game, to more, life is war
So put them egos to the side and get off them head-trips
'Fore some cats pull out them heaters and make you head-less...
Mos Def (Got)
KEEP IT REAL
We've all heard that term before. Honestly, we've probably heard it too much. On the heels of this Plaxico Burress case, I'd like to take a second to jump into it.
Prior to poppin a cap in his own leg, most people outside of football fans had never heard of the guy. Burress is the latest athlete to have a run in with the law. He's not the first and he certainly won't be the last. From OJ Simpson to Michael Vick to Pacman Jones, the laundry list continues. It is very disappointing to see that alot of the athletes are black. I'm not saying that all athletes are bad...not saying that all black athletes get into trouble. I'm just saying that it's disappointing. It's disappointing b/c I grew up in an era where the athlete was somebody that you looked up to and could identify with. Y'all know that I'm a HUGE sports fan but these athletes aren't like those in the past. But keep in mind that they are human...just like you and me. They make mistakes...just like you and me. They live in the same society that we do. If there is crime, drugs, sex, corruption in society...you'll have athletes that will fall under those categories. It is what it is.
In speaking on Burress, I want to look at the mind set of him as well as others. All of us. This dude knowingly took a loaded gun into a club and accidentally shot himself. Why would you need to take a gun in a club? If you don't feel safe in the club...don't go. I don't begrudge him for wanting to go in a club. Who hasn't been a club before??? All of us have. And we could have been in that club when his gun went off. I could have been on the dance floor...minding my own business...sweating somebodies perm out...and then POW...I'm shot! That makes no sense to me. I don't begrudge any athlete for wanting to be in public and not be bothered. If that's the case, then you can hire a security guard. You can afford it. Why wouldn't you do that? Do you think we'd think that you're a chump because you need a bodyguard? Or are you willing to keep it real?
Burress is a married man with children. I'm not gonna say "he should have been at home with his family". I can't say that because I go out with my friends. Mrs12 is cool with it because she trusts me and she trusts my friends. And she also knows that I'm not gonna put myself in a situation that I shouldn't be in. When I was 25, I would go to any party around ATL. Now at the age of 35, I don't. Why? Because SHIT HAPPENS...that's why. If I got shot at some hole-in-the-wall club, how would I explain that? Married father of three catches a bullet in club! That doesn't make sense. I'm gonna hang out where there are people like me. People who have the same stuff as me and don't wanna rob me. Burress feared that somebody would jack him for his cash and jewelry. Well...take off the jewelry and get rid of the cash! We're in a recession, bruh! If I saw you with 100k worth of jewelry on...I MIGHT ROB YOU!! LOL. Times are hard. Why bring attention to yourself? I don't begrudge you for enjoying your wealth with jewelry and cars but that stuff brings attention to you. And sometimes you don't need that attention. The "harder you flash...the harder you get flashed on." Unless you're willing to keep it real.
This ain't just about some athlete who made a stupid mistake. It's about us as a people. Personally, I'm not going to a place where I need to be "patted down" as I enter. I'm too old for that. If I were a miliionaire, I'd hang with other millionaires. Or I'd hang with people who wouldn't do any harm to me. Decisions. Reasoning. One of the things that separates humans from other animals is our ability to reason and think logically. Be smart about what you do. We all make mistakes. But let's stop keeping it real. I just heard a song on the radio (never listen to the radio) about some chick who bragged about "busting out the windows on a dudes car". Huh? Are you kidding me? Is this the type of stuff that we promote? Let's call that what it is...BATTERY! Or is that keeping it so real that we'll be ignorant?
Like I said earlier, this just ain't about some athlete. It's about us. We control our thoughts, words, and actions. Every action has a reaction. In every action, there are consequences and repercussions.
*stepping off soapbox*
hollatchaboi!!!!
It is what it is
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Athletes are human but they need to understand their actions have consequences.
I am with you on the soapbox! I was always taught that life is full of choices and each choice you make has consequences, good or bad. Make better choices and keep it moving.
*climbing off soapbox now*
You are so right with this post. I have nothing else to add, you said it all.
ReplyDeleteYou know we talked about the Kyle. I think at some point you have to look at what you have and plan how you're going to keep it. If that club was considered dangerous enough to have to pack heat.....stay the hell out of it. And if you fear for your safety enough to contemplate breaking the law....get security....heck you make $4 mil a year plus bonuses.
ReplyDeleteSome dudes do get waaaayyy to caught up in "keeping it real". Like them dudes who claim when they get Rich they staying in the hood. Bull S. Soon as I get me some money.......I'm taking my rear view mirror off my car....and never looking back. LMAO.
imo, i feel like when these athletes or wealthy people get caught doing stupid things like this, strip them of all of their riches and send them back to wherever they came from. money seems to make some ig'nant folks insane...they think they're invisible, above the law and exempt from all reason and rhyme. but since they can't seem to handle the spotlight and the benefits thereof, they should lose it...ALL! now would you rather be keeping it real at the house or among adults with some sense at gorwn folks gatherings...or keeping it real greeting folks at wal-mart?
ReplyDeletei'm just sick of them all...if they aren't breaking laws (mimchael vick, etc), they're losing their minds (britney spears, etc)...these celebs are so weak these days. if you can't stand the heat (and make better decisions)...GET OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT!
i was saying the same thing at another blog. his actions are a reflection on us all cuz he's just like the other cats not in the spotlight who think it's aiight to bring a gun to the club. folk aren't learning how to make good decisions and getting too many passes when they make poor ones.
ReplyDeleteit's all about accountability...from ALL OF US.
I feel you Kyle, 100 percent..I'm somewhat of a Party animal myself..
ReplyDeletebut there are certain places that I don't go...because I know they have a rep for things popping off..
Just common sense..In addition to being a married man and a father,hell I'm a grandfather now!!
I would look equally bad if I got caught up in some mess in a club..
His mistake is not going to a club..but having an unregistered gun
that was loaded. If he had had a licensce to carry and the safety had been on..We wouldn't be talking about this. All they would have told him to do was to take the gun and put it in his car. Story over, no charges..and he'd be playing the Eagles on Sunday.
@ PCD...i feel like when these athletes or wealthy people get caught doing stupid things like this, strip them of all of their riches and send them back to wherever they came from.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you PCD and I whole heartedly agree with you Kyle.
As my father would say.. "EVERYBODY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS !!!"
My understanding is that this dude wasnt exactly known for using common sense even prior to this incident, and basically thought he was the end all be all.
Well, there should be consequences for people like him.
He doesnt want to hang with Millionaires like him because its no fun, he's not in the spotlight then, he becomes common.
He needed to go to a club in the hood with all his jewelry and cash so the someone would ohh and ahh over his dumb azz !!!
He gets what he gets and I agree, it wasnt so much that he carried the gun, but it wasnt even licensed, what the hell did he think would happen if he had to use it? but he didnt even get the chance to do that he had to shoot himself first.
These are folk that I feel dont deserve the money and fame cause they dont know how to respect it.
Put his azz under the jail, right along with Mike Vic, OJ and any of the rest of them.
What about the other football player that was with him that left with the gun? What the hell was he thinkin"? Covering for his boy?
They dont deserve what they have.
KEEP IT REAL...
ReplyDelete"Keep" is the key word in this phrase. You work hard to get what you have. But, you must also work even harder to "Keep" what you have. If you keep doing the same things you are going to get the same results.
I totally agree with with you. I've gone to Latin Quarters(LQ). It's in the middle of midtown Manhattan a few blocks from the NFL offices. It's not "hood" at all. I was just there a few weeks ago. I usually go for happy hour and leave by 10 but I have been there late into the am before and the clientele isn't "hood' at all.I like going there because it's a place where you can really get your dance on! They play a lot of ol school hip hop, which I LOVE!!!! I don't know why he felt like he needed to take his unregistered, loaded handgun with him. He's lucky he shot his own damn self and not an innocent bystander.
ReplyDeleteBTW: The name of the song is called "Bust your Windows" by Jasmine Sullivan. YOu need to go cop that cd...it's FIYAH! Listen to the whole song she says it's immature but it's just how she feels!
I have spoken and written myslef sour about this fool I refuse to give him anymore time.
ReplyDeleteumm, you venting??
ReplyDeletenothing but the truth! Burress needs to sit his ass down and think about how lucky he is. Sean Taylor got shot in the thigh and he ain't make it
ReplyDeleteA well paid dummy is still a dummy...
ReplyDelete@ everyone
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. I just had to get this off my chest.
@ everyone
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. I just had to get this off my chest.