Don’t Be A Menace 2010
Years ago I made the ultimate mistake of trying to deflect every criticism that random haters would lob my way. Not surprisingly, this would only exacerbate the problem; as once people found out that I gave a damn about what they said, they would just double up on the hate with extra hate sauce. There’s nothing funnier than seeing a cat that should probably know better reacting like an angry chimp to a bunch of haters- because in a what passes for a haters mind, the reaction is the payoff. This is the main reason why I created the HTML Seminar. I needed a personal reminder when my sizable temper started flaring up, that not only does the shit I’m pissed off about NOT matter, it’s actually totally irrelevant to my goals and aspirations.
This philosophy is much easier said than executed, and bears repeating on a daily basis in order to maintain equality. Part of the problem with trying to be positive is that misery loves company, and if somebody (even in your own family) that doesn’t have their shit together sees you trying to move forward they will automatically BLOCK your positive move and sabotage your efforts. Micheal Jackson would probably say it’s just human nature, but I happen to know it’s the devil at work.
What can be done about this? Obviously we live in the real world and there’s no such thing as a completely positive individual no matter how zen like his actions may seem, or how motivated he appears on the surface. I decided that rather than lash out against my enemies in futile fits of rage, I would put my struggle in my artwork. Unfortunately even this can be misinterpreted by the average layperson, because most people need shit spelled out for them with flash cards before comprehension kicks in. The fact that my work tends to skew on the surreal side is a bit off-putting especially considering that most black artwork and music is VERY straightforward and any reference to weakness or vulnerability will be considered an admission of weakness or vulnerability which is instant death to a black artist.
I’ve decided that I can live with that, because truthfully when the people who choose to make the assumption that I’m weak on any level ever have to deal with me in person for any amount of time, they always get the exact opposite impression. Most of the time I spend in damage control because I went guerrilla on some perpetrator and now they are copping pleas, and trying to get me caught up for being a menace. I’m not a menace, I’m a grown man trying to stay positive and get money. Anybody can do it, and everybody should.
In: Four Basic Ideals · Tagged with: Check Haters, Heavenshield, Menace To Society, PEACE
