Classic Album Reflection: Pieces of a Man

 

 Once in a while, we come across art that encapsulates a moment in history. These works have the power to seemingly transport us to the period in which they were created, imparting the perspective of a time that we've never experienced. This is how I felt when I first heard Gil-Scott Heron's debut studio album, Pieces of a Man. Released in 1971, the album is a genre-bending 11-track journey containing elements of soul, blues, jazz, funk, and spoken word. Through each song, Scott-Heron melodically grapples with topics ranging from social inequalities to the personal struggles of addiction. The most widely known track on the album is the opening "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", which has been immortalized for its poetic call to action. Scott-Heron has expressed that the song is about the change that you must make in your mind before you can change the way that you live. At the conclusion of this track, we transition into the serene “Save the Children”, one of my favorite songs on the album. The lyrics serve as a captivating plea to make the world a better place for the youth that follow in our footsteps. Scott-Heron sings “right now they seem to play such a small part of the things that they’ll soon be right at the heart of.” I appreciate the way in which Scott-Heron conveys emotion through his vivid lyricism. This emotion helps the listener feel the gravity of issues that he grapples with through each song. On the title track, “Pieces of a Man”, we hear a narrator recount the tumultuous experience of his father being laid off. He sings “I saw him go to pieces, he was always such a good man.” In the closing track, “The Prisoner”, Scott-Heron articulates the damage caused to a family when a man is “hounded by hatred and trapped by fear.” The song seems to describe both a literal and figurative prison that has left the man feeling unseen and unheard. When we consider the context in which Pieces of a Man was released in the early 1970s, the subject matter on this album is even more compelling. This period followed the strife of the 1960s and saw a carryover of the Vietnam War, the Black power movement, and the dawning of an economic recession. This atmosphere is conveyed through tracks like “A Sign of the Ages” and “The Needle’s Eye”. On the latter, Scott-Heron sings “All the millions spent for killing, seems the whole world must be dying; all the children who go hungry, how much food we could be buying.” The song captures the sorrow of someone observing these world crises with little power to change them. While societal issues are a prominent theme on the album, Scott-Heron also provides tracks that are more introspective. Songs like “Home Is Where the Hatred Is” and “I Think I’ll Call It Morning” paint the picture of a man seeking to find solace within his environment. We also get songs like “Lady Day and John Coltrane” and “When You Are Who You Are” that are both uplifting and reassuring. The breadth of emotions and subject matter on this album certainly fits the title. Pieces of a Man showcases the complexities within an individual just trying to make it through life. Scott-Heron demonstrates the ebbs and flows of the human experience through each track in a way that allows the listener to step into the world as he sees it. On “Or Down You Fall”, Scott-Heron sings “and now you know I’m only human instead of all the things I’d like to be, the world is just a simple circle, you’ve got to keep on turning.” These lines stand out to me because they demonstrate the power in learning the “pieces” of a person’s story. Through this learning we build a deeper appreciation of that person’s humanity. People, like the world, are much more complex than we perceive them to be.  Over 50 years later, Pieces of a Man contains messages that I believe can inspire and connect with people today. 

Book Reflection: Sixty-One

 

My latest read is Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court by Chris Paul. As a fellow Demon Deacon and native of the Piedmont Triad, I had to grab this one off the shelf. I'm glad I did because this turned out to be one of the most compelling books I have come across in a while. Sixty-One provides insight into the life of Paul and his relationship with his grandfather, Nathaniel "Papa" Jones. Papa, a business owner and pillar of his community, was tragically killed the day after Paul committed to play basketball at Wake Forest. Throughout the book, Paul recounts the formative experiences of time spent with Papa and how the lessons he imparted have influenced his journey. From childhood to his current status as an NBA superstar, Paul connects these valuable experiences to each of his endeavors. Sixty-One also develops with brief chapters that detail the game in which Paul scored 61 points in honor of his grandfather shortly after his passing. From reading, it's clear how Paul's legendary basketball career is a credit to the upbringing and community that raised him. Before he was known around the world as CP3, Paul was a kid in Winston-Salem helping out at his grandfather's service station. It was here that he picked up many of the values and work ethic that allowed him to flourish as an NBA player and philanthropist. Paul also provides glimpses into other impactful relationships in his life, such as his bond with Skip Prosser, who coached Paul at Wake Forest. I appreciated how this book was both reflective and forward-looking, as Paul seeks to pass the lessons he learned to his children and upcoming generations. These lessons include hard-work, compassion, and finding joy in service. Paul illustrates how these lessons can also help us overcome the collective battles we face as a society. Sixty-One is a testament to the fact that we stand on the shoulders of those that came before us. I recommend this book to anyone, even if you don't consider yourself a fan of basketball. Paul's story highlights the importance of role models and mentorship among youth. As someone that grew up in the 336, this book was a powerful read and new introduction to a hometown hero. 

Book Reflection: Vibrate Higher

 One of my most recent reads is the book, Vibrate Higher: A Rap Story, by Talib Kweli. If you're not familiar with Talib Kweli, he is a legendary hip-hop artist and host of the podcast, People's Party with Talib Kweli. The book is a memoir that documents Kweli's upbringing and career as an MC. The concept of "vibrating higher" is a theme that pervades throughout the book. It's all about being the best version of yourself, and recognizing the people, things, and environments that allow you to do that. In the book, Kweli traces his success back to the various people and places that allowed him to live out his career. We learn about his roots and how the New York hip-hop scene provided the training ground for him to develop his craft. He also acknowledges how failures and mistakes have played a critical role into where he is today. While reading, I appreciated the honesty and clarity with which Kweli wrote this book. He provides a great deal of social commentary on issues like gentrification, race, and politics. He talks about how he sees it as his duty to bring knowledge of these issues and the people's struggle into his music. The label of being a "socially conscious" rapper is something that he wears proudly and lives up to. Kweli writes about his experiences participating in the Ferguson protests of 2014 and meeting with President Obama to discuss mass incarceration. He does a great job of providing context and explaining these issues from every angle. Each story that Kweli tells makes you feel as if you were in the room. The book encourages you to reflect on the components of your life that help you vibrate higher. For me, I believe that is God, family, and exploration in regards to knowledge and experiences. I definitely recommend picking up a copy of Vibrate Higher, as it is a memoir that seeks to inform and inspire. Feel free to order using the link below. Thanks for reading! 

Vibrate Higher: A Rap Story: Kweli, Talib: 9780374283407: Amazon.com: Books

Book Reflection: Let Love Have the Last Word

How do you define love? It's one of those words that you can feel, but not be able to articulate. In his New York Times bestselling memoir, Let Love Have the Last Word, Common analyzes love from his perspective. He recognizes love as a powerful force that shapes the way we live. The book touches on different aspects of love including God's love, self-love, love of partners, and love of family. He defines love as a practice, something that requires time, effort, and attention. Common acknowledges that love is hard, and discusses his own shortcomings in giving love. It can be difficult to focus on love when there is so much negativity in the world. However, practicing love can serve as an antidote that can help us overcome these challenges. In some of the most impoverished places, love shines and helps people live enriched lives. As Common mentions, love requires us to be vulnerable and honest. It also asks us to listen and be patient with those we love. As humans, we crave love. It influences many of our actions and emotions, but yet we don't fully understand it. This book is powerful because it encourages us to do our own self-assessment of love in our lives. While reading, I often thought about how love has operated in my life. I realized that the people I love are those that have made the greatest impression on my life. They have invested love into me, and I can only hope that I have done the same for them. Love is strengthened when it is reciprocated. Though it may not solve all of our problems, leading with love is the way to ensure that we are on track for progress and healing. Let Love Have the Last Word is also a good read for artists, as it provides insight into Common's creative process. He describes creativity as a way to experience love through divine expression. Art requires us to be vulnerable and be comfortable exposing ourselves to the world. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It provides a great conversation about love in its many forms. It's not too often that you get to go inside of the mind of one of your favorite artists. If you want to check out Let Love Have the Last Word, feel free to order or preview using the link below. Thanks for reading!

Book Reflection: Shoe Dog

 

My latest read is Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, the creator of Nike. Released in 2016, this memoir chronicles the early days of the global multibillion dollar footwear and apparel brand. Knight takes readers back to 1962, when he was a recent college graduate seeking his purpose in the world. He dreamed of an extraordinary life where he could live out his passion and have a career that didn't feel like work. He embarked on a journey around the world, and began pursuing what he called his "crazy idea". When he returned from that trip, he began distributing shoes that he imported from Japan. He called his company Blue Ribbon, and partnered with his college track coach, Bill Bowerman. More than a business, Knight was looking to develop a lifestyle brand. His company would go on to transform the shoe industry and become a household name. In the book, Knight tells the stories that shaped the brand. Far from a smooth journey, the book is a testament to resilience and risk-taking. A "Shoe Dog" is someone who makes shoes, but finds a deeper meaning in their work. They see themselves as a part of each step a person takes in their shoes on the journey of life. Considering what Nike is today, it's hard to fathom the challenges that the company faced in its infancy. From lawsuits to federal investigations, the company almost didn't live to see its full potential. Even Knight acknowledges the pivotal role that luck played in Nike's success. Shoe Dog was a very uplifting read for me. Few people possess the audacity to chase their wildest dreams. Through Knight's memoir, we see how a shy kid from Oregon went on to develop a multinational corporation. I definitely recommend adding Shoe Dog to your reading list. You will be entertained, informed, and inspired. Feel free to order using the link below. Thanks for reading! 

Reflecting on My Trip to Kenya!

During the month of May, I was privileged to participate in the Community-Based Global Learning program in Kenya through my university. I, along with fellow students and staff, traveled to the East African country for an exciting two weeks of experiential education and cultural immersion. The trip was facilitated by EDU Africa, an organization that provides "transformative learning journeys" in various countries throughout the continent. Our journey provided an array of opportunities for learning, as the EDU Africa team had numerous experiences in store for us. We engaged in activities that allowed us to build meaningful relationships and engage with the people and places that we visited. I wish that I could bottle up my experience and sell it to you, but for now we'll have to settle with this blog post. In the following paragraphs, I'll provide you with some of the highlights from this amazing trip.

Prior to our arrival, each member of our group was given service-learning placements with one of three local organizations in the town of Limuru. These incredible organizations were Limuru Children's Centre, Limuru Cheshire Home, and Plants for Life. I volunteered with Plants for Life, which works in reforestation and environmental conservation at the campus of Brackenhurst, an international conference and learning center. It was a pleasure to connect with such passionate individuals, who were able to teach me a lot about the local ecosystem and the amazing power of plants that have aided mankind for centuries. The area we worked in had tremendous biodiversity, with both indigenous and exotic species of plants. We assisted in gratifying and fulfilling work, such as the collection and planting of seeds, landscaping, and helping children at a nearby school create a butterfly garden. We also participated in a tree planting venture of over 500 trees in the Kereita forest, which provides a water catchment area to help the local community attain water. It felt special to know that the work I was engaging in would yield results long after I had left.

When we weren't at our service-learning sites, we were engaging in activities that taught us about the rich culture and history of the area we were visiting. One such experience was listening to speakers from the Lari Memorial Peace Museum. They spoke to us about the Mau Mau Uprising, which helped bring about Kenya’s independence from Britain in the mid-20^th century. Two of the speakers were involved in the conflict and were members of the opposing sides, one having been a Mau Mau Freedom Fighter and the other a British loyalist. They talked about the destruction that the war had caused and how it divided the people. Further, they discussed their efforts to bring peace and unity once the country gained its independence. In order to unite, they had to see the humanity in people that they had previously saw as enemies. It was important for them to honestly deal with the past and to start working together for a brighter future. Since, the Lari Memorial Peace Museum has sought to preserve this history and to keep future generations from repeating past mistakes. I found the account of peacemaking to be inspiring, and one that should be shared around the globe. Hearing such a powerful lesson made this one of the most impactful experiences from the trip.

During the trip, it was great to spend time in the town of Limuru and being able to gain a sense of what everyday life is like in the community. Through some of our activities, we had opportunities to interact with members of the community and learn more about Kenyan culture. We participated in a market challenge, where we divided into teams to see who could bargain for the best quality produce. We had a cooking lesson with host families, who showed us how to prepare proper Kenyan cuisine. We toured a local tea farm, where we learned about the history and production of Kenya’s largest export. We dined at The Lake House Tigoni, a beautiful estate that provided magnificent views of the area. The most special activity we engaged in was putting on a sports day for children at Limuru Children’s Centre. We organized stations of soccer, dance, coloring, and jewelry making for the children to participate in. It felt great to spend time with them for an afternoon of fun and laughter. Through time spent in the community, we were able to learn a lot and create some of our best memories.

Halfway through the trip, we departed Limuru and headed westward to the Maasai Mara. It was a long and beautiful journey that allowed us to see the countryside, including a view of the Great Rift Valley. In the Maasai Mara, we were spending a weekend on safari and learning about the Maasai tribe. We stayed at the Naboisho Camp in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, where we were provided a luxurious experience throughout our stay. We were led by Maasai guides, who possessed a wealth of knowledge about the land and the animals that inhabited it. I was amazed by the vast open landscape, which provided a great view of the sky and hills in the distance. While on game drives, we were fortunate to see a variety of animals and learn about their lifestyles and behavior. It was surreal, being so close to lions, giraffes, wildebeest, hippos, and many other species. One of my favorite moments was seeing a hungry lioness hunting for her cubs. We didn’t see her succeed, but it reminded me of the strength that mothers of all species exhibit to care for their young. At times on the drives, we would step off to eat and admire the view. On our first night, we found a clear area and viewed the Moon, which looked brighter than I had ever seen it before. The safari was a thrilling experience and a wonderful opportunity to see nature in its purest form. Also, while in the Mara, we were fortunate to be received at a Maasai village. While there, we spent time in homes and learned about Maasai culture. The people there were very welcoming and taught us a lot about their way of life. On our last day in the Mara, we visited the Maa Trust. The Maa Trust is an organization that engages in projects to conserve the environment and assist families in the community. We met women producing Maa beadwork, which has helped provide an impactful source of income for women in the area. It was special to see how they were creating a better future for themselves by incorporating traditional elements from their culture. Our weekend in the Mara had a lot to offer and was definitely a highlight of the trip. It was a dream worthy excursion, that our group would talk about frequently for the rest of our time in Kenya.

On our last day in Kenya, we were reminded to recognize our trip as a real experience. It seemed incredible that we were able to build relationships, create memories, and learn so much in the short time that we were there. During our final group reflection session, we shared our biggest takeaways from the trip. The lesson I shared was about the power of cross-cultural communication. Through interacting with the people there, I was able to experience the impact of trading perspectives with someone that comes from a different part of the globe. When respectful and honest, these conversations can make everyone involved a more enlightened individual. I enjoyed my time in Kenya, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the Community Based Global Learning program. This trip provided me with unique experiences and helped me further my education as a global citizen.

Book Reflection: We Gon' Be Alright

My latest read is the book, We Gon' Be Alright: Notes on Race and Resegregation by Jeff Chang. The book, first published in 2016, is a collection of essays that analyzes recent issues concerning race in America. Chang takes on many pressing topics including institutional diversity, student protests, cultural equity, urban displacement, and the protests in Ferguson. One common thread that permeates through the book's chapters is resegregation. In his introduction, Chang writes that "even as we have come to mostly celebrate 'diversity,' resegregation is happening all around us: in our neighborhoods and schools, our colleges and universities, even in the culture." This sentence helps set the stage as Chang goes on to highlight the divisions and inequities that still exist in our "post-racial" society. We Gon' Be Alright does an excellent job of discussing social phenomenons that many people feel, but aren't able to articulate. In his diagnosis of issues plaguing American society, Chang provides historical context that helps readers view today's conditions from a broader perspective. Such a timeline of policies and cultural shifts help show that the things we see today don't just happen by chance. Reading this book opened my eyes to the work that still needs to be done to create an equitable society. Though there appears to be progress, racial and economic disparities still exist that significantly affect quality of life for many Americans. These divisions propagate tensions that come to haunt us at times in tragic occurrences. This book details an urgent need for us to begin viewing our future as a nation as interconnected. Chang writes of his own experience as an Asian-American, which highlights the complexities that shape race relations and identity in America. In his conclusion, Chang expresses how critical it is for us to see the humanity in our fellow citizens. It is difficult to read of the pain that has been inflicted upon marginalized members of our society. However, it is necessary to discuss if we are to ever see true progress. We Gon' Be Alright is an insightful dissection of our current times and deserves to be read by all Americans. You can order using the link below. Thanks for reading!

https://www.amazon.com/We-Gon-Be-Alright-Resegregation/dp/0312429487