I was privileged to see another observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day. My activities actually started on the night before when I served as a volunteer at the Hosea Feed The Hungry event. It was a good time for all. Everyone pitched in and worked diligently to help prepare food to be sent out for the dinner today at Turner Field. Afterwards I went for a bite to eat at R Thomas with Mindi and Kamisha.
Today, I attended the formal King Day Observance and Kennessaw State University. The speaker was Carlton "Chuck D" Ridenhouer of the group Public Enemy. I really enjoyed the words Chuck had to share.
Here are some highlights from the speaker:
Change happens from the bottom up, not the top-down
Some black radio stations don't advance the interests of the people
Media not giving high regard to having intelligence
"Dumbassifying of America"
4/4/08 is the 40 yr anniversary of Dr. King's assassination in Memphis, TN
What are the nations of Africa?
Culture shouldn't make us lazy
How old is "old" and how young is "young"? If you can be sent to war and die, you're not that young.
Power, accountability and responsibility come with age
Keep my energy. Have the energy of a kindergardner. Combine energy and focus.
Being the best American means being a citizen of the world.
The Prison Industrial Complex
Intelligence will save your behind. Don't let intelligence keep you silent.
The world is a world of color. It won't always be here. We gotta take care of it.
Whatever I want to do, study it, learn it and be passionate about it.
Quality means more that quantity. Be the best you can be.
Writing is a revolution. Write your thoughts.
Don't fully trust someone else to do right by you as a black person.
Artists should lead society to better places. Most artists don't.
