Irreplaceable

Not a lot on the horizon here, just got to gripe a bit. I am still in the Northeast and it seems like it is going to snow here every day. I mean I just look out the window and it snows. It helps that I am in a high rise and I can enjoy it from there but driving in it is an entirely different story.

In fact I am still learning walking in the snow. I have pretty much mastered that task until yesterday. I was walking to my car and came upon some black ice. You know I almost busted my behind but I was super quick caught it and kept going. It’s all good though.

Oh yea, pet peeve with Philadelphia. I am a real purist, so if something is a rose – call it a rose. Why does every one here call it Philadelphia - Philly? I personally like the name Philadelphia sometimes when calling it Philly I feel that it disrespects the name and its meaning. Well enough about that. I will have to vent on my feelings about some of the people here later.

Nevertheless, check out this recent poem or spoken word joint I wrote. I thought about calling it Beyonce’ but for now it is known as Irreplaceable – A True Love Tale. Let me know what you think.


IRREPLACEABLE
You called me today
Saying your usual things acting your usual way and you said, “I love you”

Should have known when I heard the words that they were loaded.
Real.
But loaded nonetheless.

Loaded with emotions of caring and loving and feeling and not knowing quite where these emotions belong – we proceeded.
I was in a special moment when you called me today.
Seeing your number flash across my caller ID – took me to time that we had shared before. I remembered those moments. For then our ecstasy transcended four lifetimes!

I mean the thought of you and what you said was so real I had to call my ex.
The first and true love my life,
Had to tell her,
Had to let her know,
Had to warn her – watch your back!
There was another out there
Another who could surpass her emotion another who could spin feelings out of nothing.
See only she could understand how I feel right now.
Our relationship allowed it, and I took advantage of the privilege. You walked it out, I talked it out

The rest of our conversation was a blur,
I mean really we weren’t together, never made a commitment – but for me it was unspoken love you knew how I felt and I was all about letting it be.
What ever I could do to be there for and with you, I was down
Regardless of the circumstance, you knew I had ya back
Now the question is, will you take advantage of that?

So after a few moments of conversation, finally the words tumbled forth, “So if I messed with someone else, would you be mad?”
I know I am always on the road and I am not always there – but in the end I’m always THERE
I mean what could I say to that, you have to be the arbiter of your actions.
I can’t make you do more or less than you want to do.
So after a moment . . . . . .
after the smoke cleared and the pre-tears returned to the deep part of my tear ducts.
After my heart jumped and dropped and skipped and I caught my breath,
after I checked myself to see what was wrong with me
After I considered being “regular” and just hanging around just to be with you
After wondering if I flew there right now to look you in your eyes would things be a little different
After I reassured myself that I was ok.
After I thought about putting in a little extra time at the gym so I could get just a little bit tighter
After all that – I said simply NO.
I let you know that I thought that we were deeper than that and that regardless of what happens with us I am there for you.
But I can not play second chair
I have to be the me that I am and love you from afar,
it’ll hurt me to see you with him
Still I’ll love you, though you’ll grow to see that truly me
Well, I am irreplaceable.

In Search of a Good Cut

Well as any African American man knows, wherever you travel for an extended period of time – finding a good barber is important. So since I had been on the ground in Philadelphia, I had been on the lookout for a great barbershop.

When I was younger, I remember my barber Hakim was from Philadelphia and all he could talk about was the famous “Philly Fade”.

So here I was in the home of the fade (so to speak) in search of a good haircut. I had been asking around for weeks and everyone had a different opinion of who was best and where to go. The interesting thing here is that Asian-Americans had even gotten in on the action. As much as I have traveled, I had not been to or seen a Korean or Vietnamese Barber Shop for Black Folk but in Philadelphia one was there. I was quite interested to see how a cut would turn out but after thinking about it for about a minute I decided to be adventurous some other time.

Well, after trolling around online and asking, I finally came up with a shop called Pretty Boyzz. Now I am sure that you may think that the name attracted me because I am a Kappa but I was attracted because it seemed well put together. So I decided to go.

First the shop was a good 20-30 minutes from where I was staying in a predominantly affluent African-American area called Mount Airy. I took the drive passing briefly passing Temple University. It brought back some memories of college and the thought that I need to go back to school. In some ways I really miss formal education.

Anyway, when I arrived at the shop I was able to park right in front of the door. I was serviced by the first barber there who took my jacket and explained that the procedure was to wash the hair of each client before the hair service. OK, I thought I can get into this. So he is washing away and scrubbing for quite a while and finally after I am almost asleep he wakes me to get my cut.

Now the cut was pretty good but the interesting thing was not the cut but the fact that he was so gentle with my head, I didn’t know weather he was making love to my head or cutting it! Usually (as brothers know) when you get a cut, barbers grab your head and almost give you whiplash! That’s just what I am used to. But dude took his take and faded every corner of my hair. Go figure!

Nevertheless, I got my first Philadelphia cut and I am mostly satisfied. I know that I am only here for a short period of time but you know a brother has to be tight wherever he is. Cause where I am – is where the party’s at!!

Oprah's Leadership Academy - I See The Dream

I am so full right now. I am full of life and love and of appreciation of everything that I have and every experience that I have employed.

I have just finished watching the ABC Special about the opening of Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa and I cannot tell you how many times that I cried. I cried tears of joy and happiness for each and every young girl that was there. I cried for those that were not able to attend the school. I cried for those that could not cry. But most of all I cried for all of the students right here in America who did not have the wherewithal to appreciate such a gift as education.

A few years ago, a friend of my mother was selected as a Fulbright Fellow and spent several years teaching in Zimbabwe. Having been a veteran teacher in the United States her experience with the sons and daughters of Africa was unique to say the least. I remember her saying that when she walked into the room to teach the class that the students would already be there waiting and would stand at their seats until she gave them leave to sit. They would refer to her as honored professor. There was no such thing as back talk or disciplinary action and these students didn’t have to worry about dress code violations because they all wore uniforms. It was euphoria for a teacher and these students were ready and willing to learn.

She then returned to the United States and tried to teach again. It was true culture shock. The title honored professor was replaced by “bitch”. Students dressed properly turned into young ladies looking more prepared for a rap video that for learning. Instead of coming in eager, students acted as if they were doing her a favor coming to class. Definitely, it was culture shock. The students in Zimbabwe were thirsting for knowledge and the students here were not.

Since Oprah opened her school, I have heard comments like why didn’t she give that money to an American school or open an academy here. I can answer that. The truth is most American students probably wouldn’t appreciate it. Not all students of course. I am sure that there are those that would benefit and appreciate Oprah’s generosity. But there are other programs in place here. How many American students these days have to walk miles and travel hours just to get to school? Then take the trek back home to take care of household duties and younger siblings all while maintaining an exceptional grade point average. NONE! This is why in some ways education is more important to people who have to work much harder for it.

As an actor and a journalist, I appreciate the careers that all of the young ladies have chosen. I appreciate all that Oprah has done and it has inspired me to make sure that African and African-American boys everywhere understand their responsibilities and have opportunities to realize their potential.