Do I Still Have It?

wanted to see if i still had it
put lyrics to paper it's like pure magic
coming out the hat you never know what'll be
but i'm revealing ill shit like chants and prophecies
themodernmarvel is my aka
named after love, black power, grooves
or simplified
marvin gaye
have no real purpose but to live and share life
take a snapshot of what i see and reveal it as i write
my life
the good and the bad
the happiness and the sad
moments as there's many
hunger as i count pennies
mad cause there aren't any
but stories i have plenty
so writing is my therapy
to deal with the effects of pure gravity
that's right the pull down
where i tend to roam around
but i call it the underground
where true heroes have been found
i wanted to see if i still had it
the ability to blank out all the tragic
visions of gun barrels, chains and caskets
piss smelling pavements and constant harassments
lessons of submission and dependancy
a dark history as it's been pushed into me
slavery
anger, frustration, rage and hate
follows as i'm expected to play my part and walk straight
but the crooked lines lead me off path
falling over the hurdles and wishing i had
a dad
a teacher or a preacher
a leader to help this believer
convince himself that he still has it
the ability to push through his life that's drastic
the strength to turn around
and walk away from the tempting sounds
of satan chanting
come on brotha nobody is watching
but i'm wondering if i still have it
the mentality of a mislead youth
on a path of bad habits
with the only thing saving me
is this ink filled tube of plastic
what do you think...
do i still have it...?

What Up N.....!!!

With everything going on in this world - AIDs spreading quickly, violence escalating, the high school drop out rate increasing, single mothers left to raise kids alone, gang violence resurfacing, the poverty rate out of control, public education not worth a damn, hip-hop industry becoming more raunchy by the minute, tea parties popping up everywhere, and taliban acting bad - why in the world are some people still flipping over the word Nigga? Nigga please! There are way too many issues that need our attention besides worrying about the word Nigga, especially when this word is being used so loosely amongst Blacks.

The issues Blacks are facing are bigger than a word. Our issues are our people. We as Blacks have focused on the little issues for so long that we have completely forgetten about the bigger issues.

It's acting like a nigga I'm more concerned about. Like being more concerned about the rims on your car than your children; or getting a gold grill instead of finding a career. At this point in the game, I could care less about what somebody is calling me, be it a Black or White man. A better life is what I care about. Not some word that has the same meaning nowadays as, dog, homie, brotha, cat, patna, ace, boy, or my mannnn. "That's my nigga!"

My People, Wake Up! There are Black people dying over in Africa as a result of Genocide and AIDs. Black mothers are lonely. Black kids have no male role models to look up to, and our people are dying way too young. Bickering over this word instead of focusing on more important issues is what a nigga (referring to its original meaning) does.

It is time to wake the hell up!

Insanity

I’ve had many obstacles in my life
Few I overcame, many I still fight
Trying to understand the mysteries of life
Is driving me insane
In a instant I can feel good and on top
But in the same instance I can feel bad and drop
This seesaw battle is my life's plot
And is driving me insane
A smile here, a frown there
Life’s bombs are dropping everywhere
No armor to protect me from this unstabled scare
I’m going insane
I’ve jumped, I’ve ducked, I’ve bobbed, I’ve weaved
But the answer to this madness I can’t perceive
This roller coaster ride has finally taken me
Damn, I’m insane

Marvin W.

The Freedom Laugh

The fight was so great, the goal was so clear, freedom we struggled to one day have
Freedom, freedom, freedom, we felt we gained it, but to those thoughts I laugh
Quit running man, quit running, and face the outcome of the truth we laid
The struggle never went no where, we just laid it aside cause we thought we were no longer slaves
But it's gotten worst, it's more mental then physical, and freedom we fell short
Instead of walking on the catwalk to be auctioned off, the traditional slave trade center is the courts
Plantations are now prisons, whips are now guns, and the judicial system has become our master
Slave ships are now prison busses, different tribes are gangs, and lynchings are us killing ourselves but faster
Separation of the family is our fathers leaving their women and children to cry and suffer in pain
Drugs and liquor replace escaping, law enforcement are the slave bounty hunters, but ironically the chains still remain
The fight was so great, the goal was so clear, freedom we struggled to one day have
Freedom, freedom, freedom, we felt we gained it but to those thoughts I laugh

Marvin W.

All That I Can

I ask myself, am I doing all I can to make this world a better place
No complexity needed to get my point across
Yet this question brings much complexity to the mind
Am I doing all that I can
Am I Man
What happened to that young lyricist that swore he’d bring real messages
I guess I got lost in search of my heritage
Is my mission only for Blacks or for many cultures
Am I doing all I can
What was my plan
I wonder through this world hustling to make another man rich
Spend all day away from my family
A completely different present then the future I once saw
I was going to make this world a better place
Freeing minds through words of truth
Message catered for the youth
Putting signs near turns that I once burned
Detouring the mind to think openly and freely
Education is not just in books but in the streets
Did I fail at trying
If not, then why is my heart crying
Why are these words being generated in anger
Why is my mind rambling on
Where are those plans I had before I had life
The questions keep coming
Did I
No
Am I
No
Can I at this very moment show
That I did all I can
To help my fellow Man

Marvin W.

101 Things A Black Man Should Know

Welcome to the Official Blog for 101 Things A Black Man Should Know. What is the true purpose of such a topic, or better yet the book you ask? Education. There is nothing more important right now for the Black men then education. This applies to Black men worldwide and until we step up to the plate and reverse the lack of education, I'll continue to push 101 Things A Black Man Should Know.