Another Loss in the Rap Game

In hearing about he death of Ol' Dirty Bastard, I refelcted on the plight of Black men. I believe that OBS was sincerely trying to fight the domons that were within him and make a better life for himself. He was trying to get away from negative influences (including some members of Wu-Tang) and revive his career. His life was cut short - just like so many of Black men. But then again, his life has not ended - only cease to exist in this world. Maybe he is walking with Jesus right now, looking back on his life - content with what he tried to accomplish. He has no worries now - he is Home. He will sorely missed like so many others that lives were cut short. His dealth causes me to think about Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls. Even though Pac and BIG died by way of violence - all three have one thing in common - none lived to see their 36th birthday. Pac and BIG didn't even live to see their 30th birthday. Regardless of what other people and/or critics may say or think, all three are/were musical geniuses in their own right and I will always listen their music fondly. R.I.P. Russell Jones, Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace.

But taking it further, it seems like all our Black men die too soon. If not from violence then from poor health. My partner always seems amazed to realize that he is fastly approaching his 39th birthday. He feels grateful that the Lord has allowed him to get to 38. Grateful to reach 38??? How can that be that our men are happy to reach 38 instead of striving to reach 83? Or beyond? What has society done to our race for us to be grateful for our men to reach 35 or even 40 while our white counterparts couldn't grasp the thought of dying young? What has society done to me for ME to be grateful that he reached 38? It is really a travesty. We really have to set high expectations for ourselves or we might as well just think of us as being on the endangered species list.