Stereotypes...(Do I fit the description?)

Stereotypes...Some of us accept them for what they are, others try their damndest to disassociate themselves from them. Who really cares? Stereotypes are just things that are a part of one's culture that another uses to generalize them. Again I ask, who really cares?

I'm Black...Obviously

I can sing...Well, I can "sang" there's a difference

I can rhyme...Who doesn't?

I can dance...Oh yeah, don't let the girth fool you

I don't know who my father is...There are things you can't control

I like fried chicken...Am I the only one?

I like red kool aid...Yes, I know red is not a flavor

I am lazy...You try cooking for 150 mofos and see if you wouldn't be

I've been on welfare...The class system affects us all in one way or another

I wake up on CPT...Only on the weekends though

I partake in "herbal conversations"...But I'm not into drugs

I talk to the movie screen...I shoud be able to after they charge me $100.00

I am good at sports...Practice will do that for you

I wear baggy clothes and Timbs...But I own a nice suit collection

I have a baby's mother...She wears my ring also

Whether you allow stereotypes to define you or not is your choice. Live your life...Just make sure you live it right. Nothing else matters.

Truly Yours,

Mitch Hennessy

Thanksgiving? (The Thoughts of an African Indian)

This day I give thanks for your awful pandemic, killing those that weren't already killed by your guns. Thank you, oh thank you for the bloody slaughter of our women and children, we understand that no conquest comes without sacrifice. Thank you deeply for the seizing of our land, we more than appreciate the casinos you would give us later on for it. Thank you for The Braves, Redskins and Seminoles...it's nice to know that our image and heritage mean that much to you. Thank you for masking the hidden truth behind this day you've named a "holiday"; the benefits you've reaped in the sales of turkey mean nothing to our generations lost in your plan. Thank you...very...very...much.

A Capricorn Risin'

January '76, a baby is born...winter time in The Bronx in a womb full of scorn. A miracle was sent from The Lord. Because this baby met life bein' choked by his umbilical cord. He made it thru fine, they say, "in due time, everybody grows to learn about their purpose in life." Patience is a virtue, to come full circle, you've gotta make it thru all the struggle and strife. No male leader in the house to hunt wit'. So struggle is the one thing he had in abundance. But he would never change it or trade them for yours. Stared Satan in the face when he came to his door. The evil father of confusion and lies, told him things that had him lost in this world... he couldn't cope. Should've broke but he wouldn't break. All he did was complain about the pressure that he couldn't take. How was it that he made it thru the pain? Who was it that sat wit' him while he moved on the trains? Provided him protection in his underground shelter even slept next to him spendin' nights in the park. Why was he spared on his birth date? How could he try to take a life that wasn't his in the first place? So many questions wit' very little answers...Rules to this game of life, he doesn't understand them. He studied Islam, started trainin' for the distance. Read books of many kinds but somethin' was still missin'. The blindfold he was wearin', he finally took it off. Slowly but quite surely, he found out what he was lookin' for. In the sand there's been two pairs of footprints, his and a pair that he doesn't recognize. Slowly it starts to come to him, it's the man that held him in His arms before He put him in "Moms".Then he starts to remember happily, there was only one pair of footprints in the sand when He carried him. Now, he sees it vividly, dark demonic wizardry, the struggle and the strife were all a part of Satan's trickery. The Lord will allow torment to test your faith, stay faithful to Him 'cause He's faithful to you. He'll never give you a pair of shoes you can't wear. Or put more on you that you can't bear. Your struggle is your testimony, share your life wit' the world and let them know that God truly exists....Peace & Freedom.

Truly Yours,

Mitch L. Hennessy

Ghetto Blues: Summertimes and Sugar Sandwiches

The DJ's threw jams in the park on the block. Rainbow coquitos and skelzie tops. Since the concrete is hot, get a wrench for the hydrant. Get a bucket, it's the next best thing to the pool. The lil' shorties jumpin' double-dutch, the music in the air. Catch-n-kiss, you tried to catch the one that had the curly hair. Freeze tag, put your foot in. We're about to get a game... The piragua man is comin' so you call your mother's name. Either that or Mr. Softee, get a dollar if you could. Just the everyday activities when livin' in the hood. 7:30, be inside before the lights come on. Leave the park, beat the dark, feet leavin' sneaker marks. If the elevators broken, you gotta walk to your floor. Say, "peace out" to your homies before you walk in the door. Wash your hands before dinner, "Don't you go in them pots!" That's what your mother says but all the while, you're all in the pots. Fried Chicken, white rice, a few slices of bread. It might be all we have but please make sure the Kool-Aid is red. Gotta get your homework done to watch your show on the tube. Bedtime, you wash your body then you jump in the bed. Say your prayers before you do it...show you're grateful to God. Close your eyes and dream about the things that bring you relief. Gunshots and sirens are the lullaby that rocks you to sleep. Good Night.

Truly Yours,

Mitch Hennessy

Time: Too Much, Never Enough or None At All

This was inspired by a blog posted by a high school alum(What's up MeMe?). She talked about how these "social sites" allow you to get reaquainted with old friends and such. It made me think about it thoroughly...to myself, I say word. I've been able to catch up with cats I haven't spoken to in a decade. Cats that I've grown up with...The other night while IM chatting with one of those old "cronies" I asked him about other members of our crew and some of the news shocked me. See, he & I grew up in the projects together...and by the mighty grace of God, we were able to make it out. He expressed his joy over the fact that we were able to do it. A lot of our friends were not so lucky. So many of them died so young...and if they weren't dead, they were away in prison doing heavy time. In my opinion, prison is death as well...freedom is life and without that, you're dead. He told me how two of our boys were doing time. Heavy time...time...the concept of time is funny when you think about it. When you're free, there never seems to be enough hours in the day to do all of routined duties. When you're locked up, the time can't go by fast enough. After my friend expressed this joy he had, I thought about it with a calculating thought process. I looked out of the window of my current residence and for the first time in a long time, I thought about those project buildings. All this time, I'm looking down on the fact that I'm not where I want to be...Shamefully, I thought...at least I'm not where I was. When we were young, we didn't look at it like the ghetto...we were busy enjoying our youth. Flippin' on dirty mattresses, playing manhunt, skelzies, etc. That was life...growing up in that life is what caused some of our friends their death. Touching bases with these old friends has made me reminisce about those times more often. On one hand, I miss it there...but if you asked whether or not I would want to live there again, the answer would be an emphatic NO!!! Because I know now what I didn't then...Thank God for age and wisdom. That's why I'm never ashamed to tell people my real age...some of my friends won't get the chance. I do this for them. Peace & Freedom















Truly Yours,



Mitch Hennessy