Unfortunately, the title of this blog was the last tweeted words of fellow Entrepreneur/Rapper Nipsey Hussle. This was likely minutes before being gunned down in front of his own store in his old neighborhood. I write this less than an hour after news was released confirming his death. I am aware this man grew up in a gang culture. I am aware he was in a “bad” neighborhood. I am aware most people may feel this is just something that happens to people like him. I am here to change that thought process. This man at the young age of 33 was a father. He was an entrepreneur that pushed ownership and self-sufficiency to ears that are usually fed garbage that helps them in no way. He was a great role model to all who came from nothing and aspired to be more than a cliché entertainer.
Again, he stated “Having Strong Enemies is a Blessing”. This is sad irony. More than that, it is a way many of us entrepreneurs /entertainers think. I don’t agree, and I honestly don’t feel he did either. Hate/Jealously from peers and/or people who look like you can be so overwhelming and heartbreaking that the only way to deal with it is to embrace it. It’s an attempt to convert negative to positive. It can and does work but the root of the problem is the negativity coming from peers and/or people that look like you. Those should be supporters or neutral. Negativity shouldn’t be in the equation. You don’t like their music? Don’t listen. You disagree with the message? Voice your issue with words or your own music. You are jealous of a person? That’s a personal problem. You need to deal with the problem which is you. How dare you allow your unhappiness with yourself get to the point where you are okay with taking the life of a person who is doing what you would love to be doing. It’s deplorable.
Nipsey pushed ownership which I also push. He had a “buy the block” attitude. This is exactly what people growing up like us should have. Many of us get caught in turf wars within our neighborhoods while renting. The thought process needs to change. He was one that pushed it and I’ll see to it that others will. Starting businesses, owning real estate, investing, and taking care of your family is what’s cool and will stay cool. Teaching, learning, sharing is cool. We need to throw away the notion of these things being corny. It’s one of the stupidest things in our culture.
In closing, having strong enemies is not a blessing. It’s a burden. Especially, from your people. How much will it take to get it through the correct heads that we need to support eachother? I don’t know. I’m proud to say I’ll give all I have in attempt to add to whatever is needed. It sucks that a fellow soldier has fallen. A family has lost a father, son, brother, cousin forever. Saying “this needs to stop”…. needs to stop. We need action.
R.I.P Nipsey
Food for thought…. you do the dishes!
