Brian Mooney | Educator, Scholar, Author



Warm Up“They try to box me in, but I got knowledge of self, which is stronger than any cage that you can lock me in” Talib Kweli Mini-LessonThe Universal Zulu NationThe Universal Zulu Nation is an international hip hop awareness group formed and headed by hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa. Originally known simply as the Organization, it arose in the 1970s as reformed New York City gang members began to organize cultural events for youth, combining local dance and music movements into what would become known as the various elements of hip hop culture. By the 1980s, hip hop had spread globally, and the Zulu Nation has since established (autonomous) branches in Japan, France, the UK, Australia, South Korea and the Cape Flats in Cape Town South Africa.During the 1970s, and 1980s, Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation members would often clothe themselves in costumes representing different cultures of the world. These costumes were seen as symbols for the Zulu Nation's desire to help others regardless of nationality or skin color and also to symbolize people who were generally peaceful and good until they were oppressed by those who were not. Most members, including whites and Latinos, would often wear necklaces or shirts depicting an outline of the African continent or a tribal drawing of a man's face. This was a symbol of the Zulu nations of Africa, from which the organization got its name. Bambaataa, who once lived the gang lifestyle and was trying to change his ways, saw the newly formed group as a way out. Bam, who was known for reading and staying up on the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and other African American leaders, changed the name to Zulu Nation after watching a movie that told the tale of the well-known South African tribe. He was inspired by their resistance to Dutch settlers.The Fifth Element: Knowledge “We believe in the mental resurrection of the dead. We feel that many of the Human Family are Blind, Death, and Dumb to the Knowledge of self and others. When we say "self," we mean that each person or persons must have true knowledge of who each individual is in the history of their people -finding out where they come from, which country, the True or Ancient name of their country; nation, nationality, race, and civilization. We must deal respectfully with the Truth-both the negative and positive--of our peoples past, admit their wrongs to the world, and then to start a process of healing in order to bring the world out of darkness and into the light of Knowledge, Wisdom, Understanding, and Truth.” – from a teaching on Wisdom, by Afrika BambaataaSelf-ConceptIn psychology, self-concept (also called self-construction, self-identity or self-perspective) is a collection of beliefs about oneself that includes elements such as academic performance, gender roles and sexuality, racial identity, and many others. Generally, self-concept embodies the answer to "Who am I?"Black Star – K.O.S. (Determination)[Talib Kweli]So many emcees focusin on black people exterminationWe keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determinationIt's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversationsC'mon let's smooth it out like Soul SensationWe in the house like Japanese in Japan, or Koreans in KoreaHead to Philly and free Mumia with the Kujichagulia TRUESingin is swingin and writin is fightin, but whatThey writin got us clashin like titans it's not excitinNo question, bein a black man is demandinThe fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin (3X)With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination*repeat 4X*[Singer]Things I say and do, may not come quite throughMy words may not convey just what I'm feelin[Talib Kweli]Yes yes come on, yes yesKnowledge Of Self is like life after deathWith that you never worry about your last breathDeath comes, that's how I'm livin, it's the next daysThe flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the pageYo they askin me how old, we livin the same ageI feel the rage of a million niggas locked inside a cageAt exactly which point do you start to realizeThat life without knowledge is, death in disguise?That's why, Knowledge Of Self is like life after deathApply it, to your life, let destiny manifestDifferent day, same confusion, we're gonna take thisHip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little lightNow y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evidentVoices and drums original instrumentsIn the flesh presently presentin my representationWith that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination*repeat 6X*Things I say and do, may not come quite throughMy words may not convey just what I'm feelin *repeat 2X*[Talib Kweli]The most important time in history is, NOW, the presentSo count your blessings cause time can't define the essenceBut you stressin over time and you follow the Roman calendarThese people into cloning like Gattaca, you can betThey tryin to lock you down like Attica, the African diasporaRepresents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber foreverI know you gotta get that cheddar whateverAiyyo I heard you twice the first time money, get it togetherYou must be History, you repeatin yourself out of the pagesYou keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealthThat quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detentionInner-city concentration camps where no one pays attentionOr mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's leftThe young, gifted and Black are sprung addicted to crackAll my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't hereAnd your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fearWith, broad brush strokes and tales of incarcerationYou get out of jail with that Knowledge of Self determinationStand in ovation, cause you put the Hue in HumanCause and effect, effect everything you doAnd that's why I got love in the face of hateHands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straightThe thought you had don't even contemplateInfinite like figure eight there's no escape..From that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination*repeat 4X*Dilated Peoples – “You Can’t Hide, You Can’t Run”You can't hide, you can't runRemember to, always be true, no matter what you doRun it, I never fronted, I got my whole crew life on itThink sharp, man listenYou can't hide, you can't runRemember to, always be true, no matter what you doRun it, I never fronted, I got my whole crew life on it[Hook]Any day your last day might come soYou can't hide, you can't runLate night or in the shadows when the daylight comes rememberYou can't hide, you can't run, man listenAny day your last day might come soYou can't hide, you can't runFrom the truth, we know each and every day fights come, rememberYou can't hide, you can't run[Rakaa Iriscience]It's like it's Final Destination, you tryin your best to make itThey say be patient but you know you're cheating death, it's chasingHeart beatin, pulse racin, but I keep the pace andTrain to be the best and beat the best by the GracieGrappler spectacular rapper sport of altercationIn self-defense we hem em up, a tailored alterationWe're firestarters, leaving stages up in flamesThen again we're firefighters, spraying at whatever's blazingCrazy ways to express and pass informationDaily making the best of bad situationsWe fight to win in whatever type of test we're facingHip-hop came while they were underestimatingAmazing grace how sweet the sound, that's what I was raised inBut then the crack and gangs flourished under Ronald ReaganLife insurance for kids, undertakers waitingEarth is purgatory, here between the pearly gates and Satan[Hook][Evidence]I stay relevantOnly person I stand in the shadow of is EvidenceLast page, I left off a good lookThis ain't the next chapter, it's a whole new bookAbout to steal the game, I'm a whole new crookBaking up that fire, I'm a whole new cookGet your whole shit took, Cali's back under the sunSo you can't hide, and you can't runFrom the truth, some ain't convinced so they decide to try meLike I give a fuck, we live from India.ArieThey got spies in cameras and trailersWe see em setting up though we on counter-surveillanceOn to me, I'm on to you, it's no mysteryBetter think fast though, the future just your historyIt's where the plot thickens, regardless of wealthCause the worst person to run from's yourself[Hook]Writing ExerciseList at least 3 personal strengths / assets / or positive attributes. (Everyone has them!)List at least 3 personal weaknesses / liabilities / or character flaws. ( Everyone has them!)Now, using this inventory, write a poem, rap, or essay that explores at least one of these character traits.Questions to consider:How does this trait affect me positively / negatively?How long have I had this trait? Is it part of my inherent character?Is this trait a learned behavior? If so, where did I learn it?How could I use this trait for good / bad? How can I let go of the parts of myself that I don’t like?How do I see myself? Do others see me differently than I see myself? If so, why?What else would I like to learn about myself? about others? about life?Why is self-honesty the most important kind of honesty?Examples of character traits:Open-mindedHonestCaringSelf-centeredReliableLoyal(see next page for more) ................
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