Stairmasters

 This post was originally scheduled for the week of May 17, 2015

“ I am under the belief that if I impact at least one child, that could provoke change in the rest of his family tree.”

Lamar Whidbee

Visual Artist

Hotep,

Running the stairs has become my latest cardio workout addiction.  Sixteen stairs of solid concrete, framed in penitentiary steel is my daily routine of climbing the hard times, en route to the best results.  I strongly believe anything in life worth reaching for should not be as effortless as an escalator ride toward the oblivion of life’s setbacks. 

In order for the upcoming generations to embrace this philosophy, the “Stairmasters” preceding them must show the way to a rigorous ascent.  This gesture could shorten the generational gap that has bred conflict amongst our people for far too long.

Steps 1-5:

“Whether you’re educated or illiterate, whether you live on the boulevard or in the alley, you’re going to catch hell just like I am.”Malcom X

I have been working with Lamar Whidbee for over a year.  As I am sure you can see, his artwork is pure genius.  He has a distinctive way of capturing a moment.  During one of our Hidden Voices sessions, I witnessed a mere slice of his artistry when he sketched a portrait of one of my comrades in a 20-minute span. 

The fact that this particular muse was engaged in discussions and adjusting his seated position from time to time, was no match for the visionary equipped with a sheet of paper, a single pencil, and a desire to rehabilitate the image of someone deemed as a threat to society.

Steps 6-9:

“It’s time for us to submerge our differences and realize that it is best for us to first see that we have the same problem, a common problem – political oppression economic exploitation, and social degradation.”Malcom X

Standing well over 6’4”, Lamar possesses a unique degree of humbleness.  Though he is much younger than me, we share the same enthusiasm for our beloved Hip-Hop culture.  And both of us understand the importance of young black males having strong, positive role models in their lives. 

“My father was at my first little league baseball game.  He taught me more about sports than my coaches.  He was the best man at my wedding, and he showed me how to be a man through example.”

Lamar speaks of his Dad with a great sense of pride.  I was impressed by his zeal to give back what has been given to him, through his devotion to mentoring kids.  This places Lamar in a position to alter the direction of a wayward child’s path toward suspension, self-destruction, and possibly death. 

Lamar exhibits the natural tools to change what most people only discuss; a societal thermostat in the truest sense: “I discuss prison pregnancy, addiction, and every thing required to keep them from being gullible in the real world.” That’s what’s up!

Lamar once used the Chinese culture as a metaphor to describe his reasoning behind his close association with death row prisoners.  He said gorging on Chinese food does not bring a person any closer to the authenticity of Chinese culture.  You would have to go to China to learn the real. 

After hearing and reading so much about the flaws in capital punishment and the unruly lives to be annihilated by its practice.  Lamar has chosen to make the journey into Unit 3’s “death house,” in order to know the real about a lively culture intent on making a positive difference for the up and coming generations.

Steps 10-13:

“Instead of wasting all this energy fighting each other we should be working in unity…” Malcom X

Without question, the late, great Malcom X was a “Stairmaster” in his own right.  

The steps throughout this article are emblematic of the hard times within his own life and the words that spawned future generations efforts to learn from history and climb higher. 

Asante sana for laying the foundation to rise above any circumstance.  Elevating our mental-state to reach the top of life’s proverbial stairs, where a cloud of collective consciousness awaits, and prosperity is infinite.  Happy Born Day my Brother!

Steps 14-16:

“I try to expose children to things beyond their normal environment so that they can make, and have a choice like I did.  Due to the fact that I am trying to impact young males, I have to visually be what I speak.  I have to live to the best of my ability to expect that from them.  I became a mentor because I would always hear people speak on the issues within our schools and communities, but not one would step in to make a change.”

Lamar Whidbee
Visual Artist

The obvious difference between a thermostat and a thermometer: One changes the environment, the other simply tells you what you feel you already know.  This is our rise to the top!

Nuff said,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2015 by Leroy Elwood Mann