(BHM) Ralph Gilles

And finally for my last post I bring you Ralph Gilles.

Unfortunately the Wikipedia entry on him (as of this date) is slim so you're better off checking out this article from his Alma mater Vanier College (a school, I remember being told was only known for their wild ass parties) titled:

"FROM SLACKER TO SUPERSTAR: Gilles is new darling of automotive design world".

(BHM) Muhammad Ali

"I never thought of losing, but now that it' s happened, the only thing is to do it right. That's my obligation to all the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life.” -- Muhammad Ali

That has gotta be amongst the most humble shit I've read since hearing about Jesus.

(BHM) Marcus Garvey

"If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won before you have started." -- Marcus Garvey

Ps: Shout out to Jamaica!

(BHM) W.E.B. Du Bois

Something you might not know about W.E.B. Du Bois (at least I just found out), his dad was born in Haiti.

(BHM) Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington aka the Great Negro Educator.

(BHM) Tuskegee Airmen

Tuskegee Airmen

(BHM) Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall

(BHM) Frederick Douglass

In case you didn't know, Frederick Douglass' birthday is part of the reason why Black History Month is observed during the month of February.

(BHM) Jesse Owens

Imagine being Jesse Owens accepting a gold metal at the 1963 Olympic games hosted in Berlin.

Now imagine being Hitler looking at this shit.

(BHM) Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X.

(BHM) Tommie Smith and John Carlos

As I continue on that contraversial tip, Tommie Smith and John Carlos may have lost their metals for this but still kept their honour.

(BHM) The Black Panther Party

Fuck what you heard! but the Black Panther Party were the real OGs. Hate'em or love in my opignion their heart was in the right place.

(BHM) Huey P. Newton

My only regret with this post is how I neglected to have it ready for the 17 of this month. That's when Huey P. Newton my childhood hero (after Spider Man, Optimus Prime and shit) was born. Huey was a childhood hero to me like gang member might be to today's young black youth.

From the first time I saw him on that PBS special I thought he was cool!

(BHM) Madame C.J. Walker

"Madame CJ Walker made a straightin' comb" -- KRS One

According to her (im assuming official) website, the straightin comb thing ain't true (read the bio here). But if you're looking for a good rags to riches story to inspire your young daughter, that would be it.

(BHM) Harriet Tubman

"Harriet Tubman freed the slaves at night" -- KRS One

You can't talk about bad ass black chicks without mentioning the name Harriet Tubman aka Ms. "You'll be free or die!" (you might have to google that last quote).

(BHM) Garret Ed Morgan

"Garret Ed Morgan made the traffic light" -- KRS One

Now before you go cursing his name the next time you're running late and stuck at a red light, the truth is this, he did not invent the traffic light (the 1st traffic light to ever exist was in 1868 London) but more patented a model the traffic light which looked like this.

If I was mislead in my reading, I encourage you please to correct me.

(BHM) Charles R. Drew

"Charles [R.] Drew did alot for medicine" -- Krs One

Although I gotta admit, this guy (at least his picture) is really not helping my cause of making sure light skin does come back in style.

Interesting piece of information for all you Black McGill University students or graduates, he's one of yours.

(BHM) Lewis Latimer

"Lewis Latimer improved on Edison" -- Krs One

Meaning Edison may have invented the light bulb but Lewis Latimer improved it.

(BHM) Granville Woods

"Granville Woods made the walkie talkie" -- Krs One

Actually it was the Multiplex Telegraph which guess was the predecessor to the walkie talkie.

You Must Learn lyrics (I should have posted with the video)

It's calm yet wild the style that I speak
Just filled with facts and you will never get weak in the heart
In fact you'll start to illuminate knowledge to others in a song
Let me demonstrate the force of knowledge
knowledge reigned supreme
The ignorant is ripped to smithereens
What do you mean when you say I'm rebellious
'Cause I don't accept everything that you're telling us
What are you selling us the creator dwellin' us
I sit in your unknown class while you're failing' us
I failed your class 'cause I ain't with your reasoning
You're tryin' make me you by seasoning
Up my mind with see Jane run, see John walk in a hardcore New York
It doesn't exist no way, no how
It seems to me that in a school that's ebony
African history should be pumped up steadily, but it's not
and this has got to stop, See Spot run, run get Spot
Insulting to a Black mentality, a Black way of life
Or a jet Black family, so I include with one concern, that
You must learn
Chorus: Just like I told you, you must learn (twice)
I believe that if you're teaching history
Filled with straight up facts no mystery
Teach the student what needs to be taught
'Cause Black and White kids both take shorts
When one doesn't know about the other ones' culture
Ignorance swoops down like a vulture
'Cause you don't know that you ain't just a janitor
No one told you about Benjamin Banneker
A brilliant Black man that invented the almanac
Can't you see where KRS is coming at
With Elie Whitney, Holly Selosy [Haile Selassie], Granville Woods
made the walky-talky
Lewis Latimer improved on Edison
Charles Drew did a lot for medicine
Garrett Morgan made the traffic lights
Harriet Tubman freed the slaves at night
Madame CJ Walker made a straightin' comb
But you won't know this is you weren't shown
The point I'm gettin' at it it might be harsh
'Cause we're just walkin' around brainwashed
So what I'm sayin' is not to diss a man
we need the 89 school system
One that caters to a Black return because
You must learn
Chorus

Lighters in the Air!

I'm at work right now going crazy over this new mixcd I recently "acquired" titled THE STREETS OF NEW YORK :: Hip-Hop Classics 11 - DJ Smooth Denali mixtape CD.


Its taking me back to that era when (I never thought I'd say this) New York was hot. No disrespect to Jay Z, Nas, Papoose and the NY pioneers still grinding.

Ironically, the baddest track on the CD has gotta be KRS One's "Outta Here"...

Nigga Moment Scene III

Here we got Cam going back at 50. I gotta admit IMHO, he did well with this one.

Click here to here the track

Source: SOHH.com

(BHM) Benjamin Bannerker

'Cause you don't know that you ain't just a janitor
No one told you about Benjamin Banneker
A brilliant Black man that invented the almanac
Can't you see where KRS is coming at

-- Krs One

A definite must watch for BHM

As a matter a fact, I think I'll just look up the people he mentions in his video for the next few days. Thank you KRS One!



Boogie Down Productions - You Must Learn

Condi Rice Raps

I know I should be watching this for the humour but the chick playing Condi...she fine!

Shoutout to Mr. Mech for sending this to me.

Nigga Moment scene II

50 going at Cam



I gotta admit, the nigga in me actually likes the video. It brought out the 50 I use to like (before Get Rich or Die Tryin).

The nigga in me also likes the match up between Cam and 50 and possibly Dipset G-Unit that might follow who knows.

What I do know though is Cam, if you don't comeback on this properly, I'm writing INS to have you deported from Harlem.

Shoutout to Browhawk for sending this to me.

Nigga Moment scene I

Cam going at 50

Quote of the day

"Barrack Obama is not the first African American to run for president. He's the first one to run and actually have a prayer. That's ironic when you consider the other two were reverends."

-- Stephen Colbert

(BHM) Henri Christophe

The part that impresses me the most about Henri Christophe is not just his involvement Haiti's History but more American History (warning: link points to a long ass document which will require some patience on your part before you see the the reference to him).

(BHM) Jean-Jacques Dessalines

If you're on that pro-black militant tip, you already know Jean-Jacques Dessalines aka Mr. "burn house cut heads"!

If you don't know then "take off them silly chains and put back on your wire" you punk ass snitching ass cointelpro mawf@#ka! (I expect that joke to go over your head so hence all the links)

(BHM) Toussaint L'Ouverture

If you up to now still haven't heard of Toussaint L'Ouverture, you better ax' somebody!

That or at least read up on it now and not wait for the movie (which I'm already lowering the standards for it by expecting it to suck. My heart cannot bare to be disappointed by it).

(BHM) Thomas-Alexandre Dumas

Why Thomas-Alexandre Dumas?

Cause:

A) He was un-disputably Black ie:. If he was wearing a jersey, baggy jeans, Tims and tried to get in some of the clubs 'round here (especially cracka ass Gatineau...no I'm not bitter just impatient with low expectation having bouncers) his batting average would be as good (if not worst cause I'm usually polite in spite of) as mine.

B) He was actually born in Haiti (check the bio)

and C) his son was Alexandre Dumas (check out that ni&&as hair).

Running behind on my BHM commitment...

Yes I realise I am running behind on my commitment to use the 28 days in this month to post something about someone deserving to be remembered and acknowledged during Black History month.

Instead of beating myself and giving up on the whole thing (like I would usually do), I'll just make a slight re-adjustment to the objective and promise to have 28 post up by the end of this month instead.

All in in favor say Aye! Aye! The Ayes win.

You may now return to your regular scheduled program...

Quote of the Day

Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things.
T. S. Eliot

No he's not black or has anything to do with BHM. I Just thought it was an intelligent quote. Especially when you consider mistakes in life are inevitable.

(BHM) Elijah McCoy

Ok I gotta be honest. I'm not really sure what he invented. All I know is it has something to do with locomotive trains (which I don't use).

I also know that the term "The Real Mccoy" (which I don't say) derives from his name.

Regardless, Black Canadians stand up!

Read here for details:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah_McCoy

(BHM) Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy

History in the making...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/21/super.coaches.ap/index.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6944981

(BHM day 2): Jean-Baptiste Pointe du Sable

Here's a name worth remembering and he's why:

http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/gal/ichi05623-1.html

http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/timeline/dusable.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Chicago#Early_days

With that said, Go Bears!

Black History Month Day 1

To An Unknown Relative



I found this picture on the internet and decided to use it to represent an ancestor (mine).

Someone who was probably chilling somewhere on the West Coast of Africa minding their business before they were captured and dragged on one of them slave ships. I don't know the details but can imagine they sailed across the Atlantic in shackles towards South or Central America to later end up in Hispaniola to work the sugar cane fields. Again I'm speculating but I hope later they heard about the revolution, grabbed a machete, matches (thing to make fire with) used during those time and got involved. Afterwards they toughed it out long enough to allow for me and my family to exist.

The point to all this is not to be exact about the series of event that occurred (for all I know there might be some shit in the pass I might be embarrass to find out). My point is shit wasn't easy and I'm sure there was several occasions for this person to put themselves out of their misery and yet they didn't. As a result I get to live here today and bitch about things that they're probably up in heaven wishing they could kick my ass for (ie:. "you want to complain about having to go to a paid job????").

To bring home the idea, check out this poem by my man Talam Acey titled, "I Could Be Killed For What I'm Thinking". He makes the same point only better...

Btw...to this relative I want to say Thanks...see you when I get there...and that I'm struggling to make you proud...

Black History Month Kick Off

In honour of Black History Month I've decided to commit each of the 28 days (thank God its short month) to post something relevant to Black History. No big right ups, essay or whatever just a name, an event and also (hopefully) a picture to go with it. It'll make more sense when you see it.

Now my intentions by doing this is not to be political (even though some will argue it is regardless), take sides or cause whatever negative feeling someone somewhere who's still doesn't understand the reason for this month might be feeling (that's your issue). I'm just a man who understands the importance of a legacy and if I were to make the same kind of contributions as the people I'm going to post (or anyone else with a positive legacy), I would hope while I'm rotting in my grave (assuming you the reader doesn't believe in an afterlife) the generation after me would do the same (Karma bitch!).

I'm no huge fan of T.I. but he's got a track I like called "Live In The Sky" where there's a line I like even more where he says, "...But it ain't how I live when I'm here it's how I live when I leave ya dig" (I'm sure he bit it from somewhere else).