The Misplacement and Miseducation of Generation X

What’s wrong with Gen X?

Gen X is the first major generation that were heavily effected by the Nuclear family - millions upon millions of children that were left to their own devices after school, weekends - when the single parent or both parents work, no one is there in that vital age to teach these children the more subtle and essential lessons on how to be a fully functioning adult.

So as a recovering Gen X that has had to increase his emotional age, his sense of identity as an adult, from about 13 to about 30. My parents both worked and with some help from alcoholism, neither parent was there. Repeat this millions of times over and you get a very lost generation that missed out on essential parental lessons like how to make friends, how to take care of yourself, how to feel content or how be self-motivated. Whether we blame baby boomers or not, Gen X is the first ever generation that literally had to bring themselves up as children…en mass.

Now what does this have to do with protesting and railing against the corruption? Well, Gen X (as well as Gen Y, Z and Millenials - who are all in this same non-parental boat) don’t have the skills to confidently go out there and take over the world or at least be able to stand up for what they believe - the Gen X I know and see every day, the Gen X I work with in recovery cannot and does not know how to protest, how to get worked up and have no idea how to ‘act’ on these feelings and how to organize and self-motivate.

Wanting this generation and the ones that followed to do some original thinking and acting is sad because they can barely get out of their own way, let alone care about and act upon things in our society. I am confident that down the line they will be better people (in the end) but for now, they are at their advanced ages, just starting to wake up to their own power.

But when they put it all together, they will be a force to reckon with. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later.

Poetry Practice Free Write

"In the beginning
There was me"
Because her life prior was
Constantly heading towards and end
Until it began
With one egg
One sperm
2 minutes
2 fools
And theres talking so I can't write freely
Back into my thoughts

"In the beginning
There was me"
Thighs parted to the sky
Tail bone tucked under
A young mother
9 months had finally got her to the starting line
At 10 pounds 6 ounces I kissed the scales of justice on the determining side
That is to say
I was born to make my own decisions
I am the immeasurable
I am the independent variable
And yet
I know there is no way I can be who I was that day when this all started
None
I have shed my skin more times than my 20/20 eyes have tried to stare at the sun
I have pulled out enough hairs that I have grown new follicles
I have replaced infinite possibilities with mortal mistakes and I have lost every chance somewhere in that hospital's hallways
So the beginning
Is today
Because in the beginning
There was me
And today's me is not the same as yesterday's
Too many men think they are in their prime when really all they are is them
Primed
As in annotated as a derivative of that which came before
And what came before me
Was man
Too high to care that he was on top of
Inside of
A little girl
But that little girl gave birth to a new beginning
Her chance to make things right
Which is why I got a whoopin when I tried to be left handed
Somehow that me that came prior to this beginning knew that the left side of the body is controlled by the right side of the brain
Somehow knew
That the right side of the brain controlled creativity
I somehow knew
Prior to my prime that I was supposed to write poetry
But that me did not know that poetry existed
What it could do for the soul
That me
Did not know that she had a soul that needed tending to
So she treated her thighs like tender serloins
But that me is over
Finished
Ended
And in the beginning there was me
When beginnings end there is me
Because I am what sees
With 20/20 hindsight
It's clear to me
That the beginning is nothing but a new name for the end
This is the end of this poem
The beginning of the activity of the areas of my mind this freewrite has exposed

The start.

Kanyativity: The art of bringing other ppls genius to the public eye.

So...I happen to be a HUGE Kanyè fan. I love most of his work, but recently I've been disappointed with the trends associated with him. First, I hear "Shutter-Shades" aka Kanye's are actually a popular trend that was prevalent in Chicago before the rapper/producer brought them onto the scene.

As far as the most recent feat, the Heartbreak Video, I was EXTREMELY disturbed when THIS VIDEO by a band called Chairlift was brought to my attention. I find NO originality in Kanye's work, but what I CAN say is that he brings the achievements of others to the attention of his fan base. I wish he would give more credit, but since he doesn't this is my request that we DO OUR OWN RESEARCH!!! Kanye never SAYS that these were his ideas, but the fact that he uses them and people haven't seen them before leads them to believe that it was his idea. Much like with the classic song "Killing Me Softly." Many people not only associate that song with the Fugies, but believe it is THEIR song. Even worse, they think it is Lauryn Hill's song, when in actuality it is Roberta Flack's song (and as much as I love Lauryn, I must say Roberta does it best) If you are one of the people who was unaware of this, please go look up the song, and feel free to research anything else you think is original.

I invite you to watch the making of Ryan Leslie songs such as "Gibberish" (which will be posted below) to see what REAL originality looks like. Until then, Kanye is the equivelant of the media. All publicity is good publicity, right? Keep working hard, Chairlift and other un-recognized bands. Someone like Kanye will steal ur idea and all of a sudden you'll be cool. Just be patient. The American Way will prevail!!

As promised, here's the video:::

GUEST BLOGGER IMMANUEL :-D

well people of earth;; life is likee..............bananas. its hard on the outside; but inside everyones trying to accomplish the same thing; to stay alive and live easy. or at least to me thats what the world iss. <33. the world is life; which is creatures; which are species's; which are tons of cells coexisting amongst one another; helping each other and keeping each other going; which takes time. time is centuries; decades; years; months; days; hours; seconds; millaseconds etc. and so as you can see; were all meant to be happy and peaceful. or so i believe. so what do i think about everything as a thing? i think its there. and we should leave everything there. i think that we should coexist with the natural things in life; and i am hungry, thats another thing i think. its one in the morning; and fourteen year olds are supposed to be in bed at this time. but im with my seventeen year old cousin; who accidentally seems to stay up this late regularly. but even her stomach is grrgling, as if to remind her that this is out of its ordinary bodily function. people are easy, tummys are hard. but yes, live live live live live live thats all i have to say, more like coexist coexist coexist coexist! yay(:

-Graciee. DOOD!<3 (: SmileFreshHappyFacesAtPeopleOnTheStreet.

Traffic Photo Journal

Hey there blog readers!!!

So! Heres the dealio...I spend a GREAT deal of time sitting in traffic. Even in San Fran! I seem to attract it, and I have decided that it's for a reason. The BEST reason of all time: ART!!!

So this is the beginning of what I hope can turn into a visual saga of my last few months in LA....that's right people...only 6 months left before I'm livin in New Orleans!!! YAYYYYYY!

Well until then, please tell me what you think. I'm not going to caption them because I want people to take them for what THEY see them as, un-tainted by my prejudice eye......

Enjoy:::

Old Edited Picture

I like my title images so I'm keeping them here for your peeping pleasure :-)

Much love and please keep coming through. If there's n e thing u wanna read about please request it and feel free to comment....

Thanks,
CeCe

Had A Show Last Night

So I was requested for a poetry show last night (yes. I got paid. :-) ) It was for a bunch of investment bankers for Black History Month. But I wanted to share the poems I performed with you all.

1) I Am From. This is a poem I wrote in 2007. It was a school assignment and grew into a favorite. Not so much mine any more, but it still gets my message across.

I am from swift hit it quit decisions with no safety provisions
And grown men who find pleasure in the thieving of young girls innocence
I am from the hating of self and ALL that shapes it
I am from mourning for stolen flowers when all others negate it

I am from a brother
Who met and dated his sister in public
Because their dad could never remember exactly where he stuck it
And so they get to talking and happen to land on that little subject
Only to find they are from the same paternal punishment

Eyes flooded and burning I pray God forgives him
And protects me from the repercussions of his many sins
Because I am from a mother who tries with all her might
To allow a bountiful future to be within my sight
And though I am from mistakes and fallen dreams
I am from integrity that rises like steam
I am from friends and family that stay on my team
I am from people who hold me when my soul bleeds

Though I am from pain and fear
I am sure to learn from every dropped tear
And to never act if my fog of anger has not cleared
Because I've seen the results of hate enacted
And clearly felt the emotions contracted
When evil feelings are left to be active

I am from 9th and 10th cavalries
Buffalo Soldiers always battling
On real or steel horses we stay traveling
Not running from our past but establishing
That we are running to our future that will be lacking
In drugs hate and other things damaging
And abundant in love hugs and laughing
I throw up "peace" signs when I see Harley's passing
Because I am from a Buffalo Soldier daddy

I am from addicts, users and abusers
Families built on drunken stupors
I am from holding grandmas hand believing I'd lose her
As I watch the chemotherapy slowly dilute her

I am from the overstanding that everything has a price
And though it hurts to look back on my life
It gives me all that much more reason to hold my future tight
Because where I am from
Is
NOT
Who I am
But if I hadn't fallen
How could I stand?

2) Education This is a modification on the FIRST spoken word piece I ever wrote. Honestly I remember writing it. I don't know where it came from and I had no idea what it would come to be, but I wrote it and I shared it and here it is now:

My teacher asked me if I was paying attention
Said she needed me to listen to the information being given
I replied
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said the reason school takes 13 years to finish
Is because that’s how long it takes to break a child’s spirit
Especially of us minorities
But let me tell you something:
We are the majority
That’s if you think of us as one human race
This world is a disgrace
We separate based on the color of our face

“Education” teaches us kids to be racist
Acting like it’s the basis for humor
These days is built on the evilness of human to human relationships
Race to race relationships
Brother to sister
Sister to sister
Brother to brother relationships
Our African-American
Latino-American
Asian-American families should be on vacation
Not lists for deportation
But we must limit liberty in order to keep this a free nation

Apparently, loving truth puts me on a blacklist
But, I’m tired of hearing you’re too black that or you’re not black enough this
Because what I do has reasoning deeper than my flesh
I refuse to let schools exploit everything my ancestors achieved
Even those challenged pigmently
It’s very likely I have ancestors of Hitler decent
And though I don’t agree with the games they played
You have to admit: Nazis worked hard to spread their love of hate
Though nowhere near as hard as my slave ancestors worked to get to those free states

But somehow
Now, color is influential beyond skin
5 years ago my brother wouldn’t be caught dead in red
Cuz he was a ShoLine crip
Now he’s on his Choir Boy tip
So move over Tookie
He sings for Jesus now
Before he would die for me without a sound
Now he lives for me and screams about how he loves his little sis
And hopes my life is filled with bliss
But he’s sure to stress:
Get this
If they won’t love you until the caskets closing, they won’t love you in sheep’s clothing
So screw society and the immortal fluctuation of rumors about what is beautiful
Look within you
That is beautiful
Look next to you
That is beautiful
Look right here
I am beautiful
I am CeCe
This is me
No playing
No faking
Just me
And I’m bearing my mind for this audience to see
So excuse me if I’ve been speaking of you evasively
If your conscience stings when I mention discriminating
Then stop judging by looks
And never settle for what you’re given
Because the answers aren’t in the textbooks
The answers aren’t in the pigment
The answers are in your heart
Will you choose to listen?

My First Political Post

I must admit. This is a video of Obama, but I am only posting it because for some odd reason..I felt like he was talking to me :-/ I guess it's part of his charm, but honestly I don't care too much about this stuff so don't expect too much more....

THIS SATURDAY!!!! U-N-I mixtape release + Grammy afterparty

When? Saturday February 7, 2009
Where? Beverly Hills Hilton- Trader Vic's Lounge/Poolside
9876 Wilshire blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA

MTV LA Artist of the year U-N-I hosts a mixtape release pool party in Beverly Hills.
You're invited by those that keep it fresh like produce:

Broccoli City & the Weekend Warriors www.broccolicity.comwww.blog.weekendwarriors.com



ElevatedLA www.elevatedla.com




Paul Finamore & Yousef Abukhdair Booky Entertainment www.Bookyent.com



Taj Tashombe www.Thesuigenerisgroup.com



Kenya RK Entertainment Group



music taste provided by

DJ Spill(RK Ent. Group)

DJ Junkfood (Elevated LA)

DEE Jay 7( Bounce Rock Skate, RK Ent. Group)

DJ Arkatect

Special Guest DJ's

Kaleem (Bounce Rock Skate, EA Sports)

Destroyer (Bounce Rock Skate, Strictly Social LA/NY)

DJ Kiilu (KPL AllStars)

.......more...

Special JDilla aka Jay Dee Birthday Tribute as well....


let us know you're coming by emailing:
rsvp@rkentertainmentgroup.com

1st Title Image

Who is this Dez Hope character?

Wellllll I'm glad you asked. I'd be even more glad if you would read the poem he inspired (found below titled The Moon) and give me feedback.
If you don't have a blogspot feel free to send CONSTRUCTIVE criticism to cece.cynthiamarie@gmail.com

Buuuuuuuut if you are not the reading type then perhaps you would like to LISTEN to genius.
Dez Hope is an unsigned singer, songwriter, crowd-pleaser from Los Angeles who, unlike many performs with a live instrument, his beautiful guitar.
AND unlike DAMN NEAR ANY! he often utilizes a loop machine to record the melody, hook, or harmonies LIVE ON STAGE! Not only is this DOPE AS ALL SHIT! It's also aesthetically pleasing to the ears and admirable by the eyes.
His inspirational lyrics are, like The Bible, applicable to all walks of life for any celebration or depression. Yes. I just compared his songs to a holy text. He is my hero. Get over it.
This here is a video of Dez Hope in 2006. For more info on him or to contact him for booking or to buy a CD (which I HIGHLY recommend) click HERE:::

The Moon. First Draft of a Freewrite.

Inspired by Dez Hope

This is my poem to The Moon
The only friend I had when I shot failure up through my veins
You think my blood runs blue
But it runs pain
Runs from being sane
Runs on me being insane
And I refrain from demonstrating my resent
But I FUCKING HATE the present
Somehow she never gets things right
Always lets someone get left behind
And she pushes away everything to come
I just want to go

To The Moon
I think you're beautiful
Want to look like you
So I carve your light into my epidermis
Let knives kiss my dermis
How have I endured this distance?
How are you so far
But still right here on my mind?

You're supposed to expose time
But I see you all day and close my eyes at night
Open this straight jacket called my skin to let You in
I want to shine like you
But I fail
Barely glowing
Just going through the motions
So the scars won't be so potent
I'm even a failure at being a failure
That's why I can't own up to it

The Moon
I just wanna float up to it
Gravity and me
See
We never really got along
She used to trip me as I ran along trying to catch a clue
I already know I'm running from me
But what direction do I turn if I want to run into you
I used to think it was up
But I'm stuck in the bottom of this cup of Cali Sun
And I'm tired of following pre-laid paths
So I cut my own
Hacked at the only thing I had ever owned
Sacrificing skin cells for sanity
I'm right handed any way
And what a story to tell:
"I left my left hand behind last time I prayed. Told God I didn't know how to give thanks. Apologized for only knowing how to think everything I wanted to say. So now only 1 hand remains. Oh and the remains? Hopefully they remain in their place because it was always their place to hold my pain but a couple of drops must have escaped because as I say this I feel my right hand shake. The sign of a fiend with a desire to replace past tense with the present. Did I mention, I FUCKING HATE the present."

Write poems on my left...
Arm not available
I guess that's what Dez meant when he said "drawing dreams on your legs/it makes sense"
And I hope I reach the end before my GPS realizes I don't know where I'm going
And if you ever wonder why I look up while the foundation is being pulled from below me
It's cuz I know I'll be fine
As long as The Moon is showing

Project One=AWESOME!

If you are 14-18 years old and live in LA and want a career in music THEN u should DEFINITELY hit this up:::

This is a county-wide search for musically talented youth, ages 14-18. Everyone who attends Pro♪ect:One’s free songwriting workshops and trainings will have a chance to write and perform songs that could lead to a professional recording opportunity. This means working with some of the top GRAMMY Award-winning musicians out there...

Here's how it works:
You must attend at least one of the PHASE 1 Sessions below to apply and qualify for PHASE 2. All sessions are free.

PHASE 1: "Music & Dialogue" Sessions, where youth learn the power of using knowledge and life's experience into the music they produce. Hosted by Human Relations specialists and professional recording artists and producers.
January 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
10 AM - 1 PM/ 9 AM Registration
***I, CeCe ATTENDED PHASE ONE THIS PAST SATURDAY AND IT WAS REALLY DOPE! YOU BREAK INTO GROUPS AND DISCUSS CERTAIN ISSUES SURROUNDING MUSIC AND THE MUSIC INDUSTRY TODAY. YOU WILL GET TO SHARE YOUR IDEAS AND HEAR THE IDEAS OF FELLOW TALENTED PEERS. THERE IS ALSO FREE FOOD!!!!***

The next Phase One session will be in West LA THIS SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2009. Email or call the contact below for details and to RSVP.

PHASE 2: Songwriters' Workshop, where selected students will create songs with award winning artist and producers to inspire the ideals of understanding, mutual respect and human dignity.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
***This requires an application but you can send in a beat, melody, rap, song, or poem. You can do it by mail or e-mail. Simple for you talented folks.***

PHASE 3: Project: One Concert, featuring music written and performed by youth from Project: One and special guest artist performances.
June 2009

For info on locations, attending and to RSVP:
Call (213) 974-7615 or Email: projectone09@gmail.com