Tropic Blunder

This is old news, but I love talking about oximorons.

(and check out this logo, some thing just doesn't seem right about it)

It seems that society is looking to ban another word from the English language, I present to you the newest abbreviated word to offend someone.... the "R" word.

Apparently, the use of "retard" offends even though it is considered a clinical term, but only used in the appropriate context. Tropic Thunder does not do so, however I feel the dialogue in the movie is a rather insightful one on the subject of the mentally handicapped, describing the difference between retarded and autistic, and on top of that, ti's funny. You can view the news report right here, and judge it as you may.

Before I go on though I would like to tackle the phrase "mentally handicapped" because to me this phrase is more demeaning than retarded. Retarded simply means slow, to retard something is to slow it down. Mentally handicapped, could we be anymore judgmental, the term wreaks of insensitivity. I would rather be considered slow, than have my mental capacity diminished to nothing more than a handicap or disadvantage.

As a society we have become hyper-sensitive to words. Granted some words carry on a legacy of hatred and should not be propagated, the "N" word for example which is not a term of endearment contrary to popular believe, but is more so a word that simply means hate no matter what race of person speaks it.

The term retard was not created in this fashion. Understandably, persons with mental retardation are offended that they are the butt end of the jokes aimed at the lack of mental affluence. Humor is based on taking the literal and making it figurative and funny, jokes aimed at certain groups of people are not necessarily targeted at evoking feelings of indifference to stigmatized groups, but more so a function of entertainment. I personally as a person that is blind, don't take offense to jokes aimed at myself or the blind community. Bottom line is... I'm blind, I can't see very well. Does that mean I should take offense to blind taste tests, no- I should inform the person conducting the test to simply "never mind the blind fold." I'm not offended every time I go to pull down the blinds, I simply pull the blinds down. I could go on for days naming items and concepts with the word blind in it, but I find my time is better utilized doing other things. Maybe I can rid the world of "A" holes, and mother "Fers" while protesting the "BS."

It all traces itself back to stigma, and society's love affair with grouping like things.

People we need to get over words. Actions hurt far more than vibrations floating on compressed airwaves.

Has It Been Four Years Already?

Well, it seems like just yesterday Bush and Kerry were jocking for position to the white house and people were clearly in favor of Kerry and hokus pokus W was back in office. Four years later we sit here on election day waiting to ring in our 44th president, either Obama or McCain. I've been reading a ton of blog posts regarding the importance to vote. People telling you it's your duty as an American, the power to change is in your hands, etc. I have never been one to get to involved with politics, it's far too dense and easy of a target to place blame. I find TV programs like The Daily Show and Colbert Report to be repetitive and nonsensical, we get it- you guys don't like Bush, or Republicans for that matter, go report for CNN. Not only are shows like these a sanctuary for greying and aging comedians who as of Obama's induction will be jobless, but they infect the viewers that watch them and strip them of their own opinion. It's sad, John Stewart's career has really gone down hill since his cameo in Half Baked, but hey, maybe with a new president he won't be able to find redundant things to whine about and go back to taking part in quality films. As far as Stephen Colbert is concerned... I'm not.

Go out and vote once you have read the facts. Assess all sides of the story and select a platform that you wouldn't mind standing on. It is not vote or die MTV, don't bring drama to our right to vote, educate young adults on all candidates, no matter what office they are running for; our government is built upon balance. Highlight every facet of our leadership and potential leaders. If someone chooses not to vote that is their right as a citizen just as much as voting is, but make sure you vote for someone you believe in, this is your vote don't throw it away because you have failed to comprehend all sides of the story. It's not fair to you.

Remember, that the President is not an elected king, to place all the blame on one person is totally insane. Did you forget about all the Congress people who develop these laws and vote on them and have the ability to veto the President's veto. Did we forget that our towns, cities and states have individuals at the helm that affect our immediate lives. If we are going to see a change in society, we must start at the lowest level of power, not the highest, we have to take over the system from within the corruption. Elect the right people to lead your towns, cities, and states. Choose the right representatives you send to D.C. to be your voice. Don't think just because one person is nominated to "lead" that there are not others to blame. Start electing capable people to go to the capital and fight for you, fight for us, fight for our society so that we can live up to being the world's role model.

Whatever happens in this election there is only one thing I truly hope comes of it and that is: to evaluate the education system, it is in need of dire change, our babies should not be the object of unfair policy designed to hinder them. We need to bring the humanistic approach back to the education system. These children need to be cared for, they need to know we care and that we believe in them. They are not employees of this unjust system we have created, they are innocent minds that need guidance. We can't rid our society of all the wrong, but damn it we can start by teaching the right.

How About an Album Review

The other night while listening to Sabac Red's sophomore album The Ritual I couldn't help but to think how to express my feelings on this master piece, then thought: oh, yea, the blog might do it some justice- if anyone out there is reading this consider yourself lucky.

Where to start with this album review, how about with some background of the aforementioned emcee Sabac, but for that I figured you could just visit his myspace page by clicking right here. Although, I will say that Sabac first tasted hip hop success in the group Non-Phixion (R.I.P.) which also starred Ill Bill (his review to come) and Goretex, with DJ Eclipse on the one's and two's. As a member of Necro's record label Psycho-Logical Records, Sabac is part of an onslaught of talent and phenomenal emcees and producers. Sabac's style differs slightly from the rest of the PLR roster, as he takes more of social and political stance, implementing militant language mixed with a social rights flare, Sabac is a voice for the over looked, the down trodden and silenced.

His politically charged music focuses on change, with an emphasis on guidance to the youth, which is the most important message anyone in the public eye could possibly support, songs like "As Children Cry" and "I Have a Dream"(off his first solo album Sabacolypse: A Change Goin' Come, 2004 also an amazing album) convey this purport clearly. This is one of the factors that makes Sabac a great emcee in my book. His message doesn't stop there however, he is a champion of progress, writing songs that not only inform, but also advise people on what to do to make their situation better. Songs like "Fight Until the End," (also off Sabacolypse) and "Open Book Policy" and "Empire V" (off The Ritual) are just a few examples of his influential style. His ability to demonstrate different styles and attack a multitude of subjects makes his versatility unmatched by many in the hip hop science of today. His ability to bring a highly energetic song like "World Army" right after he introduces the album with a laid back confession "The Commitment" exemplifies his dexterity. Rarely does Sabac shy away from personal matters, which brings a dimension of realness to his music with songs like "Breaking Through" and "Death and Destiny."

The album also features a slew of guest appearances from emcees like: the one and only Ill Bill and Slaine from La Coka Nostra and production from: Snowgoons, Skammadix, Blue Sky Black Death, and a few others. The music brings you on a journey from Brooklyn to the Bay area with a Latino flare folded into the mix. Infectious hooks and refrains add an interactive demension and balance out the skill he possess in every verse he spits.

This is an album that shows light at the end of the tunnel that current hip hop is stuck in. Sabac's album is not a few club bangers surrounded by filler, it is purity from start to finish. It is a shame how artists like Sabac, Ill Bill and the many others on Psycho-Logical and Uncle Howie Records are swept aside because they aren't on MTV, BET or featured in Rolling Stone or Vibe. That may be the reason why these artists stay grounded and progressive.

More reviews to come from all types of music and artists.

GPA for this album (0.0-4.0 scale) is... 4.0

pictures from Sabac's myspace