Baby Girl

Hotep,


I love the holiday season. I mean, this time of year always makes me feel like a kid again, Donnie Hathaway singing “This Christmas,” or The Temptations rendition of “Silent Night.” No matter how old I get, or how negative the circumstances may be, my childhood memories of holiday seasons past ignites a flame within me that warms the hearts of those around me. Word is bond.

I strongly believe that every child should be fond of the holiday season. It hurts to think of children who haven’t experienced the warmth of the holiday season. It also hurts to know that some children have experienced this holiday euphoria and never will again. Na mean?

Shannon Tavarez was an 11 year old thespian-to-be. This beautiful work of art starred on Broadway, playing the character of “Nala” in the classic stage play “The Lion King.” Baby Girl succumbed to acute myelogenous leukemia, a disease common in adults, but rare among children. Her life was so short, yet she has made an everlasting impression on so many people, Alicia Keys, Rihanna and 50 Cent to name a few. She left us at the cusp of this year’s holiday season, but I’m sure she brought joy to her family and loved ones while experiencing the excitement the holiday season can bring to a child.

Mirlande Felime’s family was devastated by the earthquake that shattered Haiti last year. In 2 years of existence, Baby Girl has endured more trauma than the average child growing up in this country. No doubt. Before Mirlande was brought to America, her diet consisted of rocks insects, hay and plastic. She escaped the disaster of her homeland when an American doctor detected a mass growing between her legs. A tumor the size of a small orange was the root of severe complications for this beautiful little person.

I’m relieved to report that Mirlande is now enjoying yogurt, fresh fruit and instant oatmeal on a daily basis. Seeing her in her fuschia knit dress and matching fuschia barrettes fills me with the warmth I spoke of earlier. You see, the holiday season fills me with warmth because I’ve experienced it as a child and a child is what the holiday season is really about, right? The holiday season began with a child’s birth. A child that felt warmth and affection during the most dire of circumstances. Feel me?

How can the holiday season not be a time of grand celebrations when children will always be amongst us? I pray that Mirlande remains in this country and is given a chance to experience what she has already given to so many others. Warmth reflection and gratitude for a child being the reason for the season. Ya heard?

As for Shannon, aka Nala, I applaud your legacy Baby Girl. Your MannofStat is more than honored to have encountered the heart of a lion soothed by the smile of a child. R.I.P. Lil’ Mama.

Keep it 100,

MannofStat
Copyright © 2010 by Leroy Elwood Mann

The Bing

Hotep,


Prison life is hard enough without the inclusion of solitary confinement, aka “The Bing”. This form of punishment can be a harsh reality of incarceration. My reason for saying, “can be,” is because some prisoners have the ability to delve deep within themselves and accept the concept of this punishment as an opportunity for self-replenishment. Na mean?

Ten to fifteen days can be a walk in the park for the average prison inhabitant, but when days turn into months and months become years, “The Bing” can be a horrific experience for someone who thrives on daily interactions with familiar faces; or someone who may have delusional expectations that they should be treated with a higher regard, by prison officials, than the next prison inhabitant. Feel me?

Speaking from experience, I’ve learned that it’s a grave challenge waking up every day and interacting with a complete stranger; a stranger who has been condemned to death for killing another person or persons. Sometimes “The Bing” can be a relief, a time to exhale and refocus your vision on the ultimate task at hand. But, the average human being cannot withstand the conditions or mentality of the state’s version of solitude.

I somewhat enjoy the few privileges allowed to me: Outside recreation, canteen and DVD movies. I can’t whole-heartedly enjoy these privileges because I understand that they are rewards in a sense, to remain obedient. I don’t need to be rewarded for obedience, which is why I refuse to whole-heartedly enjoy the dangling carrot of penitentiary privileges. But I’ll embrace the process of recharging my life’s battery. The rejuvenation of my mental comes about when I separate myself from others. And, it’s not essential that I go to “The Bing” to accomplish that. Na mean?

Death row prisoners are permitted 14 ½ hours a day of restricted movement outside of their cells. I choose to spend 5 of those 14 ½ hours of so called freedom inside of my cell, evaluating myself daily. Real talk. For this reason, my focus remains clear: My ultimate goal of UHURU (Swahili for “Freedom”) stands as top priority. Therewith, reaching the masses to educate, learn and attempt to expel the stereotypical idiosyncrasies, of a death row prisoner; stereotypes that are nurtured by crooked lawmakers and their cronies in the mass media. Ya heard?

“The Bing” is designed to damage the mindset of a sane person. At times, the walls of seclusion will overwhelm its inhabitant, imposing a feeling of being buried alive is probably a more accurate testament. This feeling induces psychotic reactions from sane human beings (e.g. Suicide attempts, swallowing batteries, self-mutilation). All attempts, at receiving human interaction. Feel me?

Obviously, some people cannot deal with the walls of seclusion, but I prefer to take a page from the legendary novelist/journalist, Mr. Wilbert Rideau’s book, “In the Place of Justice.” Or better yet, a mere phrase: “Aren’t we always struggling against walls? Not always of concrete and steel, but walls nonetheless – ignorance, poverty, indifference, oppression.” Word is bond!!

Keep on Keepin,

MannofStat
Copyright © 2010 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Immortal Words

Hotep,

My man Ed (R.I.P) used to say, “Pressure will bust a pipe.” He’d always say it in the waning minutes of a basketball or football game. If a player choked in the clutch, you could count on Ed’s signature phrase ringing in your eardrums: “Pressure will bust a pipe!” Followed by his crazy Herman Munster-like laugh. A laugh that was contagious. Breeding humor when you least expected it. Word is bond!

Ed has moved on. His bouts with hemophilia, hepatitis, sclerosis of the liver and H.I.V eventually forced him to succumb in 2002. But, as long as there’s ink in my pen and words on my tongue, his memory will live on. No doubt. Ed and I would gauge the best players by how well they responded under pressure. Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Joe Montana were always the standard. These cats thrived under pressure. They raised their level of play, deflating the pressure and dictating the outcome of games. That’s what’s up.

I was watching t.v. with Ed when the towers fell on 9/11. Prior to the special report, we were debating about my beloved Sixers and his up and coming Pistons. You see, Ed was a motor-mouth from Detroit and I’m an MC from North Philly, but at that moment we were both speechless. Stranded on death row, watching thousands of people perish brought new meaning to: “Pressure will bust a pipe.” At that point, sports talk seemed immensely senseless to me. Na mean?

When the report of a third commercial flight hitting the Pentagon dashed across the screen, the last days seemed to be more reality than prophecy. Instinctively, we prayed for our families and loved ones. We couldn’t pick up a phone to call the kids. We couldn’t jump in the whip to go check on Moms. Panic grew from a seed to a mature adolescent as other prisoners started voicing their opinions about the very near future.

Some anticipated a mandatory lockdown. Others feared a mass execution of death row prisoners, but “Dr. Detroit” and I diffused the pressure. We overcame the sudden panic of 911 by acknowledging the footprints in the sand. Ya heard?

The following year, Ed’s health was rapidly fading. Watching him die before he had his day in court was added pressure that was beginning to get the best of me. But, hi voice of reason was there for me whenever I felt like I was dying on the inside. He’d explain to me what dying truly felt like. Then he’d tell me to look into his purple-shaded eyes to remind me what dying looked like. Real talk.

Ed, a.k.a “Dr. Detroit,” died in prison, but he left behind a strong sense of freedom. A solid foundation exudes an undying confidence in the face of any form of pressure. Taking the last shot, running the two-minute offense, or witnessing an American tragedy while waiting to become one. You gotta keep your head in the game people. If not, “Pressure will bust a pipe.” For sure.

Keep it 100,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2010 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Gratitude

Hotep,


The season of thankfulness is upon us once more. It’s ironic that we’ve set aside a particular season for being thankful when every waking hour of our existence gives us plenty to be thankful for. Na mean? But, in the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, I’d like to share my thankfulness with the masses. So here’s some flavor for your ear.

First and foremost, I have to thank my Creator for allowing my eyelids to continue blinking throughout an eventful 42 year journey. I’m truly thankful for my life’s experiences, good and bad. The best times made for some good memories, but it’s the pitfalls in life that define a Mann’s character. Ya heard?

For my fam and my loved ones, thankful doesn’t begin to describe my gratitude for their unconditional love and support. My current situation has been a strain on our ability to break bread in the traditional Thanksgiving fashion, but the visits and correspondences keep me in the loop of your life’s progressions. And for that, I’m deeply grateful. Word is bond!

And how can I not be thankful for the future of my fam? My cuzzo Jazzy, my nephew Juwan and my grandseed Daveante Jr., aka “Deuce.” My love overflows for you. Whenever I think of Jazzy’s creative writing skills or Juwan’s hardy demeanor and inquiring mind or my Lil’ Mann Deuce getting his first haircut, I see myself within them and I gush with pride. Their existence has healed some of my old wounds and injected me with a vaccine that helps me combat the virus known as despair. Feel me?

Basically, I’m grateful to just be alive and experiencing the art of living. No matter what your situation may be, you can always make the most out of being alive. I experienced one of greatest joys in life last night (11/15/10) while listening to my man Mike Vick “Vicktimize” Donovan McNabb and the Washington Redskins over the radio waves.

Vick completed 20/28 passes for 333 yards. He threw 4 touchdowns, ran for 80 yards and 2 more touchdowns and his 150.7 passer rating is tops in the NFL. His journey is a true redemption story (http://word2themasses.blogspot.com/2010/10/redemption.html ), one that allows media pundits to understand that some of us are truly thankful for second chances. And, for where Vick is taking the Eagles this year, I am so grateful! Holla if ya hear me.

Keep it 100,

MannofStat
Copyright © 2010 by Leroy Elwood Mann