A Heavy Loss

Here’s the situation idiocy

Nonsense violence – not a good policy

Therefore we must ignore fightin and fussin

Hev is at the door so there will be no bum rushin

Let’s get together cause we’re fallin apart

I heard a brother shot another, it broke my heart

I don’t understand the difficulty people

Love your brother, treat ‘em as an equal

-          Heavy D

-          ‘Self Destruction’

Hotep,

Our hip-hop flag will be fliying at half mass this holiday season.  The mic controller, better known as Heavy D has moved on to an eternal existence at the tender age of 44.  To the mass majority, the “Overweight Lover” will probably be best remembered for his laid back, mellow-type of fellow flow.

I can’t front, “Peaceful Journey” and “Don’t You Know” moved me beyond understanding, but “Black Coffee” and the collaboration with Kool G Rap, Grand Puba, C.L. Smooth, Big Daddy Kane, Pete Rock, and Q-Tip, for the making of the 90’s classic “Don’t Curse,” will give any true hip-hop head the nod factor.  Ya heard?

The stop the violence movement began with the consciousness of New York’s M.C’s.  Together, they created the hip-hop anthem of the late 80’s, “Self Destruction.” West Coast rappers responded with: “We’re All In the Same Gang.” For years, hip-hop pundits have debated which coast served the better expression to the ears of the masses.  What say you?

My answer is simple.  The West Coast all-star cast consisted of N.W.A, Tone Loc, Young M.C and Body and Soul.  An all-star cast that could only be eclipsed by the realism of Heavy D on “Self Destruction.” Real Talk.

The stalwart MC, Heavy D, a.k.a. “The Heavsta,” has earned his place in the hearts of hip-hop heads around the globe.  R.I.P., Hev.  It is an honor for me to share your memory on this platform, W2TM.  From MC to MC, I wish you a Peaceful Journey.  That’s what’s up!

Much Love,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2011 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Asante

Hotep,

A penitentiary social setting is designed to give the officers clear visuals of the prisoner’s day-to-day interactions.  The dayroom consists of 6 stainless steel tables with 4 stainless steel seats at each one.  A soda crates that contains playing cards, scrabble boards, dominoes and several chess sets.  A television sits high on the wall closest to the officer’s control station.  There’s on mid-sized television for every 24 inmates.  Real talk.

In this type of setting, no one can watch every program of their liking, but believe me, there are a select few who believe the television came to prison with them.  In their eyes, the television is the answer to their daily dosage of death row reality.  Feel me?

I make conscious efforts to avoid the folly behind the television remote control.  I try not to spend a lot of time in the dayroom.  I enjoy watching sports and Grey’s Anatomy, but for the most part, I keep myself busy with constructive reading material and honing my literary craft.  Na mean?

Loneliness can lead to an assigned seat in the dayroom.  The ink in my pen provides a partition of mental peace.  This partition keeps me away from that assigned seat, a gift from the Creator that I am truly thankful for.  “Asante” (Swahili for Thank You).

Knowing who I am and what my life should be makes it easy for me to get caught up in immediacy.  I often ask myself: “Why am I still here?”  Wouldn’t you?

Our first lady, Michelle Obama recently traveled to South Africa.  While there, she spent some quality time with former South African president, Nelson Mandela, a man who’s more than familiar with the desolation that comes with living inside of a concrete box. Na mean?

Afterwards, the 1^st Lady spoke at the Rosa Parks Library in Soweto to the Young African Women’s Forum.  It was there she revealed the answer to my “Why am I still here” question:

“The only thing that happens in an instant is destruction.  Build something…Earthquake; it’s gone, but everything else requires time.  Don’t let the struggle discourage you because it’s hard.  It’s supposed to be hard.”

This year, I’ll be giving thanks for all that is good in my life.  To my fam and supporters, Asante.  The insight and compassion of our 1^st Lady is nurturing to a Mann living inside of a concrete box.  Justice can be a long and lonely journey.  Asante.

Peace and Love,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2011 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Me Versus Myself

Hotep,

At some point and time everyone makes decisions that will eventually put them at a disadvantage.  Oh, how sweet it might be to be exempt of the flaw or mere human trait better known as “a poor choice.” For example, as a teen, Moms gave me permission to use her Datsun 210 (I know, ancient history, right? They don’t even make Datsuns anymore.  LOL)  The gas needle indicated the tank was half full, before I left. 

I brought the car back with less than a ¼ tank of gas.  Needless to say, it was a minute before I got the keys to that Datsun again, which put me at an egregious disadvantage because I had to hop the Iron Horse (train), to attend a house party in Logan.  Now if you know North Philly, you’d know that there’s nothing friendly about a house party in Logan.  Na mean?

Throughout my adulthood, I’ve become my biggest critic.  I’m always thinking of ways to better myself.  There’s always room for improvement.  In an environment that is set up to make a sane man go bonkers, love for self minimizes the distractions of living inside the box and advantageous decisions will follow.  Feel me?

Looking in the mirror shows me what people see, but my reflection tells me exactly who I am.  Prisoner #0255136 doesn’t show in my reflection.  Sparse thinking is not a trait of my reflection either.   Diligence, creative thinking and loyalty is what I see when I look into myself. 

My reflection is the facilitator to the people – you may know as “MannofStat,” the Langston Hughes of b-ball commentary, the father of “Day-Day.,” the G-Dad of “Deuce” and the loving son of “Stingin B.” That’s a reflection that makes it easy for me, to love me.  Word is bond!

Standing at the door or 2012, there are still many who anticipate my state sanctioned demise.  A 16 year old decision has put me at a grave disadvantage.  Remaining silent has its consequences.  Despite these unfavorable circumstances, I’m really going to enjoy this holiday season.  You know why?  Because I love my reflection.  My poor choices are a thing of the past.  By the way, I made sure I stopped for gas before I came home.  Ya heard?

Happy Holidays, blogosphere, prosperity awaits us in 2012.

Peace and Love,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2011 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Name and Opus

Hotep,

It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but a thousand words doesn’t always tell the whole story.  E.g.:  Two smiling faces in a prom picture doesn’t necessarily mean the prom was anything more than a date.  A wedding photo capturing a bride and groom exchanging marital vows shouldn’t be written off as eternal love.  Husband and wife?  Yes.  Soulmates?  Not necessarily.  Feel me? 

Recently I had to take an updated pic for my prison identification card.  It’s currently posted on the N.C death row website.  Right before the pic was taken, the camera operator instructed me to state my full name and opus number.  The digital camera recorded my voice as my pic was being taken:  “Leroy Mann, 0255136.”

At first glance, you may suggest that I was in a bad way.  You could presume that I was saying something derogatory.  Possibly gritting my teeth in frustration or maybe even puckering up to blow a kiss at the camera.  Hopefully, the latter isn’t a popular assumption. LOL.  I was simply doing as I was instructed to do.  Real talk.

All too often, still photos condemn a person’s character and sometimes, their lives.  It’s hard to smile in front of a camera when you’re behind the wall.  My Moms wanted to know why I kept sending her pics, of me, with long faces.  I told her that I didn’t want to give the impression that I might be having a good time or that I may be happy in prison.  She simply told me, “get over it Leroy.  I want to see your smile.” How could I not comply?

My bright smile for Moms can be seen on, “A Death Sentence is No Nap.” (4/21/2010)  This particular post has rubbed some people the wrong way.  Believe me, that wasn’t my intent.  I only wanted to make the Masses aware of my up close and personal experience with the state’s execution protocol.  Na mean?

The smile in that photo wasn’t meant to be offensive and it surely wasn’t a display of arrogance.  I was merely fulfilling a request.  I thank God that I’m still able to give my Moms her smile.  That’s what’s up!  I love you Moms.

Peace,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2011 by Leroy Elwood Mann