I couldn’t help but examine the faces of the AIDS orphans. Their eyes spoke of sadness and pain that most of us can only imagine. The more I looked at the photograph, the more upset I became until I eventually burst into tears.

Some might say I’m a cold person, as I don’t really consider myself an affectionate or emotional person. However, that all goes out the window when it comes to children. (more…)

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Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar

I’ve long realized that I have to plan my time accordingly, otherwise I’m no good to the world.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been doing it, and I’ve been paying for it.

I have (and love) my Moleskine planner, but what good does it do if I don’t use it as I should? Besides, it’s not, shall we say, the “important” events with which I’m having trouble. It’s the ordinary, everyday tasks that find themselves on the backburner on most days.

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Nearly three years ago, I began compiling a list of things I wanted to accomplish before the age of thirty based on Michael Green’s 101 Things in 1001 Days. Initially, the list was set at 3000, but was quickly narrowed to a more modest 300.

In all honesty, I had completely forgotten all about it until I rediscovered it a few days before my 24th birthday. By that time, though, I had actually completed quite a few of the items on the list. (more…)

For some reason, the term ‘nigger’ doesn’t affect me, so this had no effect on me. I guess it’s because I’ve never had the pleasure of being called one…at least, not to my face.

Some time ago, I read Nigger by Harvard law professor Randall Kennedy, which offered a history of the word and its social, cultural and legal implications. I can’t say I wholeheartedly agree or disagree with his stance on the subject, but I would say that it’s worth reading.

The same applies for Nas. At this point, I’m not sure I can express my feelings regarding “Nigger”, but it’s definitely worth a listen.

For the time being, I’ll just listen to my Listen Up playlist, filled with the good vibes of classic hip-hop and soul that makes me want to say it loud: “I’m black and I’m proud!”

I roam beneath a cloud of consciousness ’cause my soul costs more than fifty cent.

I came across a post dated April 3, 2004:

I could sit here and say that everything I’ve done up to this point in my life has been good, but I’d be lying. The fact of the matter is I am not what people oftentimes perceive me to be. Some of the things I’ve done in my life would shock the hell out of you and, in all honesty, as I look back on the things I’ve done, I’ve managed to shock myself as well.

Granted, you will never hear about them in detail because I wouldn’t put myself out there, raw and vulnerable, like that. Everything I have done, I’ve managed to learn from my mistakes and in the end, I only hope and pray the Father will forgive me.

I couldn’t even begin to tell you about those things I’ve done even if I wanted to because, in all honesty, I can’t remember to which “those things” are referring. Honestly!
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