Racing to Red Lights

by The Relatables, posted in Zack's Spot

 

I got tailgated and passed by some guy on the road the other day. He was in a rush, seemed kind of pissed off and sped past me only to get stopped by a red light no more than two blocks ahead. He then proceeded to accelerate really fast off the line twice more before eventually seeing me creep up behind him at yet another red light. Each time got funnier and funnier until I realized we’re all that guy in a convertible Mustang sometimes, just racing to red lights.

We clock in on Monday and race to the Friday night red light. We set a goal to lose weight and stop working on ourselves when we get there. We binge watch the Sopranos only to have the series finale cut to black. I’m pissed. I’m sorry, I just finished it and feel as angry as convertible Mustang guy. The Sopranos debacle aside, I think people can relate to the feeling of revving up only to realize you’re going to have to brake hard because of the world around you. We may see people around us moving slower than we’d like and honk and act like a dick because we think it’s going to make them move faster, but it won’t. At the end of the day, the actions or inactions of people around you shouldn’t affect your mood, you should. We only get mad at other people when we realize that we’re the ones racing red lights.

 

It’s a Vibe

by The Relatables, posted in Here's The Thing

Maybe it’s cause I’m black, but I’ve always had rhythm. I mean, as long as I can remember, I’ve had somewhat of a soundtrack to my life. I know I got it from my dad. He always seemed like he had a spiritual connection with music. From how he listened, what he heard, and even how he played. Ive never seen him dance tho, till this day. We used to listen to music, and he would ask me things like, “how many instruments do you hear? What’s the bass line? Do you hear that?”. He used to listen to music on almost mute, cause he said it would make you listen harder and appreciate the music. I say that, to say this.

Whether it was jamming’ the oldies on car rides with my parents growing up, or hype songs in the locker room, or love songs in middle school (what a time). I’ve always been able to associate memories with music and emotions. I always have a song playing in my head. Whether it’s the latest top 40 hit, or some acoustic song I heard in a movie. I say THAT, to say this.

I’m not sure what comes first, or if it’s a case if the chicken and the egg. But not only do I associate music with memories and emotions. But I can use music to change or set my mood as well. There’s nothing like waking up on a weekend, putting on an album, and starting your day off in a groove. It’s also always a nice refresher to change the genre of music that you listen to. So if you normally listen to rap, try listening to reggae or r&b. There’s usually a shift in the message and can help get you out of a rut in your thinking or habits.

Takeaways: Dance like no one is watching and don’t be afraid to mix it up every once in a while.

Mixed Privilege

by The Relatables, posted in Just Jade

I come from a multi-cultural background– with a Puerto Rican mother and a bi-racial father…so interactions between my family and community  were seen from a somewhat unique perspective, in that nothing has ever been absolute in terms of race acceptance and understanding.  A few months ago, I was at a comedy show and this black chick went up there and started ragging on mixed people (kind of unique comedic topic in my opinion).  I thought it was funny until she said something that I still tread on daily – Mixed people need to recognize their privilege too.  This was one of the first times I heard this idea outside of my own head, because I have always had a vague understanding of where I fall on the “black struggle” spectrum.  My natural hair is constantly showered with compliments from almost every race, where black women often feel that their natural hair is not beautiful – nor so readily accepted.  Just because my curls can be a lot of work (it requires 12 bottles of weekly conditioning and daily foot massages), it doesn’t mean I should cry louder than the women who have an almost subconscious belief via our cultural norms that their natural coils are “ugly”.  I think people want so badly to be a part of things they aren’t really a part of a little too often.  I mean, I get it- adversity breeds admirable characters with strength and wisdom, so we want people to hear about what we have “been through” and then correlate those experiences to issues that just aren’t quite in our bucket.  I try my best to recognize my privilege, for being mixed and also a U.S. citizen.  Without undermining the issue, I want to focus more on how my life has been favored and fortunate despite my perceived battles in the world.  I am grateful for a place in society where I can only empathize deeply with those who struggle in ways I do not.  I believe it is gratitude, not adversity or “struggle points” that turns what we have into enough after all.

Episode 130: Ice Brudda

by The Relatables, posted in Podcast

RIP to Mrs. Dog the Bounty Hunter. The pod starts with heavy UFC talk (skip to about 20 mins in if you’re not down) and eventually gets to Dean detailing his first PAID stand-up gig, Hawaii prostitution laws and a new business brainstorm sesh. SHOP THROUGH THE AMAZON LINK (on the site) TO SUPPORT THE SHOW.

 

wifisfuneral – 30for30

Aminé – Faces + Places