How to be a rebel 101:

(Something for school-kids to think about starting this semester)

November 15, 2005 - There are now millions of Black boys wearing corn-rows, millions smoking blunts, drinking '40's and wearing pants below their waist. Almost all of them consider themselves in some way or another, to be rebels. My question is, at this point, where is the rebellion? If millions are doing it, that's no longer rebellion, that's status quo, that's mainstream. These young brothers are now a part of the system in more ways than one whether they know it or not. If you are one of these youth, or a parent or teacher whom is dealing with them, here are ten easy ways to get you/them back on the hard rails of rebellion.

10-Part of the rap industry has helped brainwash the minds of young Black males into thinking that his enemy is another Black man or woman. Songs about feuding cliques, and "dissin' records" have been in for a while now. Refusing to purchase Cd's by these artists and buy into their philosophy will make you a true rebel.

9-Most rebels love to be hated-on, refusing to join a street-gang, will garner instant hate. Not wearing clothes or head-covering espousing red or blue gang colors will make you a standout. Wearing a wave cap only for the purpose of developing waves is bound to make waves with peers (can you picture Mary J. or Beyonce' wearing hair curlers on their CD covers? It's the same difference with men. Wave caps are not clothes, they're a means to an end).

8-Be determined to strike out on your own after you graduate from high school or college (in other words, plan to leave home and get your own apartment). Set a timetable to have gainful employment as soon as possible between the ages of 18-21. No more "Baby-Boy," It's time for grown man to kick in. Note: Do this even if your mother wants you to stay and 'can't let go.' If you are blessed to have a father or stepfather living at home he'll rightfully want you out anyway. Doing this will put you in the rebel category fo' reeel.

7-Along the same lines as no. 8, resolve not to confuse your mother as your "woman." This includes not talking back to her, harassing her, cursing her or cursing at her, abusing her verbally or physically (this is part of that Baby-Boy syndrome that seems to be the in-thing). The same rule applies to your sister if you have one, as well as your father (however if your father is active in your life, the previous conditions do not exist).

6-If you are White, please refrain (or continue to avoid) immediately from practicing the trend of taking on negative aspects of Black life or Black youth behavior and then claim you are Black or "acting Black," out of some sort of twisted respect for Black culture. You're not doing us any favors.

5-By all means refrain from wearing your pants below the belt-line, even if you find name-brand pants that are designed specifically for that purpose. There are only two kinds of people whom I can excuse for letting their pants drag down below the waist; toddlers between the ages of 1-3, and the prison punks who originated this practice. Only Blacks can turn a sick practice into a fashion statement, and then try to articulate it the same way we do with the niggas who suck on pacifiers. Just stop doing it.

Either this is what you are planning to do, or you live in a perpetual childhood (as many brothers do). Trust me on this one, you'll be a stone-cold rebel if you avoid these.

4-Do not make Billy-Bob happy. This one is extremely important. Billy-Bob is a prison guard (he will call himself a Corrections Officer) who makes his living welcoming young, dumb, Black boys to County Jail, State Prison, Federal Penitentiary, take your pick. Billy-Bob lives in the rurals and the prison industry not only feeds his family, it feeds his whole town. Billy-Bob is really a nobody who would be delivering pizza, or homeless, if some kindly republican politician didn't reward his town with a prison facility over that of a mill, factory, university or auto-plant in exchange for some votes.

Billy-Bob is a very jealous cracker, he doesn't want your Black behind to get that high paying job, attend college, or even graduate high school. If you have kids, Billy-Bob would prefer if you just let your "Hoochie Mama" raise him or her and stay out of his business. That's right Billy-Bob feels a strong father-figure lessens the chance that he can continue to make a living. Billy-Bob loves drug-dealers, pimps, gang-bangers, rap Cd's produced by Suge Knight, absentee fathers, mothers who spend most of their time at clubs or on the cel-phone while your kids are preparing to meet him, and the streets (Billy-Bob doesn't hang out in the streets, he just wants you and/or your kids to do this). He once told me 'I hate them culturally aware niggers. How-ma supposed ta make a livin offa dem. The few that comes here only spread that crap to my mo' ignant inmates, and when they leave they don't come back. Noosireee don't want 'em.' As you can see, staying out of jail makes you a rebel by default.

3-Only listen to rap music and news shows that tells the truth. Kanye West, and Public Enemy are good for starters. If you notice, most entertainment on TV and radio places little interest on traditional family, fathers, and positive Blacks, and is geared to occupy most of your time which distracts you from taking your only true reality show-government and corporate corruption-to task.

2-Put less emphasis on sex, and be determined to not make babies unless you are either in a serious relationship and financially able to support them. If you already have a child or children make quality time to raise them regardless of your money situation. This thought process runs in direct contrast to the 'hood's peer-pressure to just make babies, while there is no peer-pressure to raise these children.

1-Determine in yourself to attend school everyday and finish your education without excuses, and study as hard as you can. Don't conclude other Black students with good grades to be "acting White." Your generation doesn't even know the "White man" well enough to be that judgmental. Give a huge attention deficit to those who have low expectations even if they are people close to you such as friends, family or even parents. This rebellious move will put you at odds with not only students, but evidently many inner-city school boards as well. What with lax teachers and narrow-minded school staff members, and you'll be in for quite a struggle. Good grades can actually make a Black male student an enemy of the state to a local government bent on under-funding schools and students. So show me and those around you how tough you really are, put these points into focus and you will truly be a suspect character to your peers, and even many of your elders. Try it and see.

Note: Some of you may be disappointed that I have no such 10-point program for the young Black females. Understand brothers, men were put on this planet to be leaders. Many erring Black women will change their ways if they just see a change in you. Especially if it's done on a wide scale.