Monday, November 20, 2006

PLEASE GROW UP ARTICLE/STANLEY CROUCH


Memo to young black men: Please grow up


Last week, I was in a studio in midtown where a popular program for black youths was being filmed. I found myself surrounded by black men, ages 18 to 35, and I was appalled.
As a father with a daughter nearly 30 years old who has never been close to marrying anyone, I was once more struck by what my offspring describes as "a lack of suitable men." She has complained often about the adolescent tendencies of young black men, as will just about any young black woman when the subject comes up.

Those who believe that America is perpetually adolescent will point at the dominance of frat-boy attitudes among successful white men and will say of the black hip-hop generation, "So what? How could they not be adolescent? They are not surrounded by examples of celebrated maturity. The society worships movie stars, wealthy athletes and talk show hosts. These are not the wisest and most mature of people."

There is more than a little bit right about that. Our culture has been overwhelmed by the adolescent cult of rebellion that emerges in a particularly stunted way from the world of rock 'n' roll. That simpleminded sense of rebelling against authority descended even further when hip hop fell upon us from the bottom of the cultural slop bucket in which punk rock curdled.

Hip hop began as some sort of Afro protest doggerel and was very quickly taken over by the gangster rappers, who emphasized the crudest materialism in which the ultimate goal was money and it did not matter how one got it. The street thug, the gang member, the drug dealer and the pimp became icons of sensibility and success. Then the attitudes of pimps took a high position and the pornographic version of hip hop in which women become indistinguishable bitches and hos made a full-court press on the rap "aesthetic."

At the television studio, as I watched and listened to those young men, each of whom seemed to be auditioning for a lifelong part as a "man-child," I discussed this phenomenon with a black woman in her 40s who is a writer.

She had worked for rap magazines, magazines that had focused on black women and in black television. Her analysis was quite direct and could be profoundly true. Her profession and being the mother of a teenage daughter has made her pay close attention and forced her to give these issues a good deal of thought.

The way she understood it was that these young black men do not see growing up as having any advantages to it. One is either current or old-fashioned and outdated. The only success they think they can believe in is had by either athletes or rappers. Young black men. So they hold on to adolescence and adolescent ways as long as they can.

The writer also said, "I am sure many knew of Ed Bradley but they did not identify with him. He was too sophisticated. They identify with the overgrown boy, who is everywhere and who is getting over. He's got a lot of cash, plenty of girls, lots of jewelry, an expensive car. To them, that's the world. Or it's the world they want to be a part of."

So what can be done to make adulthood seem attractive to these young black men?

Good question.

From one end of the country to the other, adults sleep in the street for nights on end as though they are homeless in order to have choice places in line when PlayStations go on sale. That alone gives us more than an indication of how great a problem we find ourselves facing.

Originally published on November 20, 2006 BY STANLEY CROUCH/NY DAILY NEWS

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MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH 2006/EVOLVE

MY PROJECT BUILDING (HELL ON EARTH)

I was asked in an interview this past weekend "What is your mission with Peace Denim Co.?" The answer is layered because we have so many facets of Peace Denim.But It was as simple as.."I want to change the world...period"I'm an artist,if I was a musician I would sing songs of Freedom,songs of Peace.But my chamber is clothing design & painting.So I voice my message through those aspects of art.Peace Denim Co. started out to be "just another" clothing label amongst many,but we feel such a
responsibility to enlighten or speak about how F*CKED UP the world has become...we have to SPEAK ON IT.I know it's going against the grain,because we live in an era of "THE CELEBRATION OF IGNORANCE".So,we'll stay here and take the heat from the LOST ONES and folks thats just happy to WALLOW IN THE MIRE.Thats not enough for me and I'm trying to at LEAST..speak the truth to the youth.To at least give them a better understanding of REAL LIFE & what it could be.I grew up in one of the most notorious housing projects on the east coast in the midst of the crack-era(circa 1983).It was like hell on earth and when I left I made a promise to God that if she kept a healthy breath in my lung I WAS NEVER COMING BACK.I've kept my word and I don't want any person to have to live through that hell.Especially the babies,because they don't have a choice.If you're raised in a zoo,you will behave like an animal and think it's the only way to live.It's not the only way to live.I've learned in my travels around the world many people live many ways..while in Japan last month I was talking with my partner and she reminded me Japanese schools teach kids MORALS as a class....everyday!!!!!!! MORALS
DEFINITION(BELOW)
mor·al (môrl, mr-) Pronunciation Key
adj.
Of or concerned with the judgment of the goodness or badness of human action and character: moral scrutiny; a moral quandary.
Teaching or exhibiting goodness or correctness of character and behavior: a moral lesson.
Conforming to standards of what is right or just in behavior; virtuous: a moral life.
Arising from conscience or the sense of right and wrong: a moral obligation.
Having psychological rather than physical or tangible effects: a moral victory; moral support.
Based on strong likelihood or firm conviction, rather than on the actual evidence: a moral certainty.

-I was sooo jealous (never in my nature) but why aren't our children taught MORALS in class everyday? I will bring that exact question to the next Board Of Education Meeting in my town...PROMISE!!! But ,you see this is the moral obligation of Peace Denim Co.we'll give you top quality,hot,futuristic designs,but it will have SUBSTANCE.
So dig,I don't always agree with Stanley Crouch(NY Daily News) but i do read him everyday.Please read this article and pass it on.Much Thanx
Peace & Respect
The Gov'Na

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/473178p-397971c.html


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Wednesday, November 15, 2006

JAY-Z x GQ


Hate it or love it you gotta give it up to Jay-Z for paving the way of what a rapper can become if you're handling your biz the right way.Literally from the bottom to the top,he set the BLUEPRINT to moneymaking in regards to an artist.I listened to the new album KINGDOM COME and I was disappointed a bit.Dig,I did'nt have a big build up I just wanted to hear vintage Jay but ....for me personally...NAH.Pick up the album and dig it for yourself though,the guy is genius when it comes to branding himself and making the transition from entertainer to peer of the wealthy decisionmakers.It's quite beautiful,He pulled his pants up and stood up straight and handled his business.They way it should be done.It showed GROWTH & MATURITY.I mean how many times can you go to jail,grind a b*tch,sell weight can you do? This is what hip-hop has become (for the most part)How much incoherent bable can listeners tolerate? With so much Coonin' in hip-hop right now (BLING,RIMS,CARS,$$$)
It refreshing to have someone to show young entrepreneurs you don't have to Yo-It-Up to keep your fanbase.In any walk of life: LET'S GROW AS PEOPLE.


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Peace Denin X 411Magazine (Japan)

Peace All,We've been privelaged enough to grace the pages of 411 Magazine(Japan).It's no doubt an honor because we have Love & Respect before we even were in the mag.They even gave a close-up on the exact artwork of my top and wrote: Peace Denim, a hot new line with a postive message" I told ya'll before "Japan get's It!!!"





















Peace & Respect to my main man/family Kawasaki I see you have 2 interviews in this issue!!!!! That's big,thanx for seeing the
Peace Denim mission,we're not just another clothing line.We have a true purpose.Thanx..You're family
Peace & Respect


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Tuesday, November 14, 2006

KNOWLEDGE / KNOWLEDGE !!!!

Since the vultures are hovering above the PDC camp and what we're launching in the USA in 2007.It's again my obligation to shine light on the DEAF/DUMB/BLIND,The Rapers of Culture,Posers,Flavor of The Month Kats as well as the only people I care about those who honestly don't know.Just as the enlightened continue to educate me and taught me that it was my responsibility to bring the light issues of the downtroden and those who don't have a voice.I'm an artist and whether it's a painter,poet,musician,etc.We are all for a reason,it is our job to help our fellow man and make this world a better place.I don't apologize for coming off as preachy or on a soapbox (understood).I feel there is such an urgencey to
"STOP THE CELEBRATION OF IGNORANCE" I can't help but yell.Finally, to the rapists that are ripping off the BLING KILLS CAMPAIGN from Peace Denim Co. I know you're too cowardly to admit where you bit the idea from at least do your own homework.Here's a start
If you dig the mission PDC is on cool let's ALL do this together to bring about some type of change.YES! But just to jump on a trend because Leonardo Dicaprio has the Blood Diamonds movie coming out in a few weeks is weak.PLAYED OFF AS SOME INTELLECT!! STAND FOR SOMETHING,YOU HAVE A VOICE ...USE IT

PEACE & RESPECT
-THE GOV'NA-









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Saturday, November 11, 2006

BITE D*CK....yo sun it's on again" -Raekwon the Chef-

I HATE TRENDY ,FLAVOR OF THE MONTH THINGS.IT GIVES ME A HEADACHE! BUT I COULDN'T HOLD THIS ONE BACK,I'M PULLING EVERYONES CARD. CLICK & PASTE THIS LINK:
http://www.digitalgravel.com/itemdetails.cfm?prod=9345&cat=63&vndr=1049
YOU'LL SEE HOW OUR BLING KILLS CAMPAIGN IS BEING RAPED.NOW THE CULPRIT IS THESE KATS RIGHT HERE.I'VE BEEN ON MY GRIND AS HAVE ALL PEACE DENIM CO. MEMBERS TRYING TO SHED LIGHT ON THE SIERRA LEONE /DIAMOND CONFLICT SITUATION WHILE EVERYBODY WAS TALKING ABOUT NIKE SB & LIMITED EDITIONS.IT'S FUNNY HOW THESE DUDES SEE THE SCIENCE FROM PEACE DENIM CO. AT MAGIC(TRADESHOW) OR IN OUR URBAN BOUTIQUE NICHE STORE AND WANNA PUT OUT YOUR EXACT SCIENCE BEFORE YOU GET TO SHINE ON YA OWN S*IT.DAMN, NOW I GUESS THIS IS HOW THE KINGS AT LEROY JENKINS FEEL WHEN THEY GOT RIPPED OFF BY YOU KNOW WHO....PARDON ME LEROY JENKINS FOR THE ANALOGY BUT IT'S THE TRUTH!!!!!!!
PEACE & RESPECT
THE GOV'NA





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Tuesday, November 07, 2006

VOTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PEACE ALL,
LET'S ALL GET ON OUR GROWN PEOPLE THING.....................VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TODAY IS ELECTION DAY,IF YOU CAN LINE UP FOR LIMITED EDITION SNEAKERS YOU CAN GO OUT AND VOTE







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Friday, November 03, 2006

GREEDY GENIUS SWEATSHOP FIASCO!!!!!!


ARE YOU F*CKING KIDDING ME? THE BLOKES AT GREEDY GENIUS TO NO SUPRISE SUPPORTS SWEATSHOPS IN CHINA!!! PEOPLE,WHEN THE F*CK IS ENOUGH,ENOUGH? I MEAN YOU CAN PUT A SILK HAT ON A PIG...BUT IT'S STILL A PIG.I'M IN FAVOR 100% OF CHILD LABOR LAWS AND ANY LAW THAT PROTECTS CHILDREN (EVEN IF IT'S A CHINESE CHILD,AND AFRICAN CHILD,AND AMERICAN CHILD) ANOTHER THING THATS' MIND BOGGLING IS WHY WOULD YOU POST THIS IN A BLOG? A CHINESE SWEATSHOP?. BUT GREDDY GENIUS HITS YOU IN THE HEAD WITH THESE BAPE-ESQUE SNEAKERS FOR OVER $100 PER PAIR.SNEAKERHEADS WAKE THE F*CK UP! IT AINT THAT DEEP,IT'S A F*CKING SHOE.BUT THAT GOES FOR ALL THESE FLOOSY LINES THAT POSE WITH CHAMPAGNE AND VIDEO TRICKS LIKE THEY'RE THE 2ND COMING OF TRUMP.YET YOU EXPLOIT THESE SWEATSHOPS.MAYBE SOMEBODY IN YOUR FAMILY SHOULD WORK FOR PENNYS.HOW WOULD IT FEEL?GRATUITOUS "I'M ONE OF THE PEOPLE SHOT"







DAMN,WHAT A SHAME.I GUESS THESE KIDS ARE REALLY "GREEDY GENIUS"!



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Wednesday, November 01, 2006

ROYAL MAGAZINE ISSUE RELEASE PARTY/PIX

PEACE ALL,
HERE ARE A FEW PIX FROM THE ROYAL PARTY (IT'S AMAZING I WAS ABLE TO TAKE ANY PIX AT ALL)
OF COURSE THESE KABOB STANDS OUTSIDE NYC CLUBS SAVES MANY LIVES INCLUDING MINE.CHICKEN KABOB WITH BBQ SAUCE PLEASE

Peace to all my KDU Fam in attendance DG,JENNA,P7,BLACK SMITH FAMILIA,LEX,JULES,JEAN GRAE(nice coat) & my Folk..Jus,Tony Peralta,MJ and that smokin' hot bartender that got me bent at the bar (DAMN U!)





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