The Concrete Perspective

Hotep,

Residing on the bench of justice for the past 23 years, Judge Gregory Weeks gave up-and-coming prosecutors and current legal finaglers in North Carolina, a reason to abort the practices of selective justice.  On 4/20/2012 the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge in Cumberland County ruled in favor of defendant Marcus Reymond Robinson’s plea for Racial Justice.  Word is bond!

Marcus’ death sentence was vacated – making his case the first in the state’s history to gain relief on the new Racial Justice Act.  This Act provides a process by which statistical evidence can be used to establish that race was the basis for seeking or obtaining the death penalty.  A much needed change.  Na mean?

History shows that landmark decisions – such as this – make room for progress, but ruffle the feathers of detractors of change, in the process.  In 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued executive order 10925, which we know today as:  “Affirmative Action.” This executive order has aided the careers of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, current North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue, and Tony Dungy; the first African American NFL head coach to win a Super Bowl.

Without question, Judge Gregory Weeks has benefited from executive order 10925 as well.  His decision to begin the journey to end racial injustice in North Carolina is a monumental display of poetic justice.  Na mean?

Award winning journalist, Soledad O’Brien, dropped a jewel when she said:  “Our country is full of people whose perspectives are never heard, people who have something to say.”  The world is full of “talkers,” but rarely do these “talkers” care to discuss sensitive matters – such as the death penalty.  SMH

Having something to say; my goal is to speak change into existence.  The masses need to hear the perspective that’s rarely heard in its entirety, the perspective of a one-time aspiring hip-hop artist becoming a death row defendant due to racial bias.  I’m a journalist encased within my biggest story – giving you a view from the inside – bringing change to fruition.  Ya heard?

My work is just beginning blogosphere.  Affirmative Action, Racial Justice and W2TM have and will change the course of judicial practices in the state of North Carolina.  Real talk.

In honor of Soledad O’Brien’s autobiography, “The Next Big  Story,” it’s only right that I use her words to close out this landmark expression: “I’m a pioneer and I know it.  I need to prove myself worthy of this opportunity for which I am immensely grateful.  This is a country of chances, but not of endless chances.”

Keep it 100,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Knowing is believing

This entry was originally scheduled for May 6, 2012

Hotep,

I’ve been told, on more than one occasion, that I have a habit of over analyzing situations that would be considered trivial to most.  I’m a thinker; I won’t apologize for that.  Some of the greatest inventions known to man were insignificant thoughts to someone else.  Right?  I mean, I take great pride in being a thinker.  My thought patterns are excessive sometimes to the point of sleep deprivation.  Feel me?

Expressing my thoughts to you has been a beautiful experience.  This particular expression didn’t originate as a thought.  This piece comes directly from my heart.  Word is bond!

How often do we believe we know someone?  Truly knowing a person is believing in who they are.  For example, a gardener knows the seed he/she sows.  The gardener believes in what he/she knows about the seed.  The gardener will nurture the soil surrounding the seed until it either blossoms or withers.

I was introduced to my gardener shortly after 2 a.m. on July 22, 1968.  Being the ever-so-diligent gardener, Moms knows her seed.  My Creator has gifted me with an eternal existence.  In this realm, Moms has cultivated my being by making me aware of the wintry seasons this life has to offer.   She provides the essential motivation at the slightest hint that I might whither.  She believes in who I am, at a time when my public image is that of an undesirable, but most importantly, she nurtures the soil surrounding me with her attentiveness, guidance and maternal showers of undying love.  Feel me?

A seed is a source of life.  My life has been buried in this box for the past 17 years.  But know this: I am a seed enriched by the nutrients of a bond between mother and son.  I’m the seed that produces deeply rooted optimism by pushing aside my stereotype and creating a new reality.  My growth will push me through any surface – thanks to my gardener.  Ya heard?

I know you Moms, not only as my gardener, but also as the most beautiful flower in the Creator’s garden of life.  My love for you is eternal.  Happy Mother’s Day!!

Your Seed,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann

A Voice Will Travel

Hotep,

Reading is fundamental.  My 20/20 has explored thousands of pages from books authored by professors, lawyers, activists, athletes, addicts and death row prisoners, throughout my time in this box.  During the earlier stages of my bid, I read a story about a man who whispered his message into the wind and the entire community heard his voice as it traveled.

Now, I’m sure some of you would probably turn the page and continue with the story, but me?  I had to put the book down and marinate on that visual.  As I’m sure you can see, the thought continues to stain my mental.  Feel me?

My interest in reading is founded on the voice of the writer.  Reading words can easily become a tedious practice, but hearing the voice behind the words can add a dimension to your existence that becomes essential to the understanding of your purpose.  Na mean?

Many voices have been silenced, while others possess a tone that’s barely above a whisper.  I’d like to think of my voice as a subtle roar, a roar riding the winds of this blogosphere.  Reaching the ears of the world and adding that much needed dimension to the existence of the masses.  Ya heard?

As I think of my days in the recording studio, I can recall the high adrenaline rush of being inside the sound booth.  Anticipating the inevitable union between my thoughts and  a blazing track.  The creation felt good as it left my soul and became a recording.  Then the engineer would fine tune the horns, the snares, the high hats and the piano.  But to me, the music was always perfect.  It was my voice that I was unsure of.

The uncertainty was short-lived.  As my voice traveled, my lyrics rolled off the tongues of others.  I grew more confident with my voice when I looked into the audience of a New York hip-hop club and saw heads nodding to my expression, females dancing to my sound and handshakes awaiting my acknowledgement as I departed the stage. 

Those memories are worth more than anything a deceased politician on a green piece of paper can give you.  Priceless!  But know this, People:  my voice has gone from the high pitch of Mike Tyson, to the baritone of Barry White since those days.  My sound is much deeper now.  Ya heard?

Voice – the right or opportunity to express a choice or opinion.

American Heritage College Dictionary 

Live Well,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann

The Profile of An Enigma

Hotep,

The following expression was created by Brother Jamil.  Not only is he one of the many ballers here on the row, more importantly he’s a brother with something to say.  He shoots the gift of literary expression just as fluently as the release on his jumpshot.  Na mean?

One of the good things about having to live on the 1^st floor was getting reacquainted with my homie Jamil.  I’m honored by his contribution to this blog.  Word is bond!

As the point guard of this W2TM movement, I’ve elected to get Jamil into the flow of this blogosphere.  I have yet to regret getting him the rock when we’re on the b-ball court.  So, I’m highly confident about feeding his literary hunger with the spotlight of W2TM.  I assure you, this Worthy Opportunity will Reveal his Diligence.  Ya heard?

The ball is in your hands Jamil.  Go ahead and drop some knowledge on the Masses.

Be Easy,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann

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The Profile of An Enigma 

They take my kindness for weakness

They take my silence for speechless

They consider my uniqueness strange

They call my language slang

They see my confidence as conceit

They see my mistakes as defeat

They consider my success accidental

They minimize my intelligence to potential

My question means I’m unaware

My advancement is somehow unfair

Any praise is preferential treatment

To voice my concern is discontentment

If I stand up for myself, it’s too defensive

If I don’t trust them, I’m too apprehensive

I’m defiant if I separate

I’m fake if I assimilate 

My character is constantly under attack
Pride for my people means I’m too Black 

Copyright © 2012 by Jamil S. Elamin