Day Of Reflection

I don't even feel like posting really, but I found this day to be quite poignant and so I couldn't resist. When I woke this morning, I fully expected the onslaught of hype on the interwebz regarding the death of Osama bin Laden. Even before I learned any details of his death, I felt acts of celebration, conspiracy, and pure ponderance would immediately come forth. Sure enough, they did. Though it became quite annoying, I very much understand the significance of this event, no matter however symbolic it may have been. Knowing the transformative power they hold, I've tried to gauge the effects of social networks over the past year. Today, it was my lens to view the fallout following the death of the America's public-enemy #1. I've learned to curtail my political statements over the last few years, but observing the diversity of viewpoints was just as entertaining as participating. Amongst the conspiracy statements, the lack of photos topped the list with complete disregard for any sensitivities of the gruesome images and their repercussions, especially when issues of national security are invovled.

I watched a daytime host talk about how she wanted her child to watch today's events so she understand the significance. Do we really need a viral image of a man with his head blown off, especially when the glamourous photos of Prince William's wedding still in circulation?? Also amongst the hype was burying him at sea. Beside eliminating the manifestation of a shrine by his followers, the government chose to respect the religious process. This may seem so outlandish for such an evil person, so perhaps you personally may not respect such things, likely being a completely secularized and consumerist individual much like myself. But it was not out of respect for OBL, but more critically, the growing 2 billion Muslims the world over do care... Bin Laden may not have shown us any respect in his fueled hatred, but does that mean we should respond with equal hatred? In a time when America's image in the Middle-East has been heavily tarnished, the government's handling of the incident had to be carefully accessed from all respects. And the rapid burial? Muslim law dictates it must be buried in 1 day... so, c'est vie, mon amis. I hope the forthcoming information allays these suspicions... but I haven't seen it all myself, either. Honestly, my position on conspiracies, not that I don't believe governments are capable of mad shady shit, but rather, I'm more into cover-ups that serve the open, usually stated interests of their sources. In an interview I saw today, the legendary Immortal Technique said, "I myself, *laughs*, don't like to get into conspiracy, so I just say that, while I can't come here and say to people, 'oh I know exactly what happened', then I know that the govenrment's version [based on these gov't fallacies] is definitely not true." --This well-put statement encapsulates my outlook very well. I've gotten the opportunity to witness Tech grow positively, as both a revlutionary artist and individual. They are clearly one in the same for him. He's a true inspiration. Check that interview, here.

(Revelers take to the streets outside the White House).

But enough on that, that's just my 2-cents. As I've said, I'd prefer to avoid the of geo-politics on this (note: I'm also quite passionate about it). When I was watching the celbratory remarks in the day's media, I was a bit disheartened. Not to suggest people shouldn't feel as they do, I mean, who's to say how another should feel? This abstractness is especially true on such complex issues the world offers us today. But alongside the vast displays of celebration, I found some very refreshing commentary as well, such as a friend Lydia who said simply and beautifully, "I don't celebrate the death of anyone. Fuck. That." Considering that 70,000 people die in a day this remark was blatantly regarding Bin Laden which solidified a few things for me. First, the bare significance of this event, as well as the power of social media, and finally the normally odd celebration of someone's death. Then there were the more poetic remarks, my particular favorite being an MLK Jr. quote which I saw numerous times today, which apparently was made up and circulated as the civil rights leader's words. Like I said, 'the power of social media'.

‎"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." -- Unknown, Martin Luther King, Jr Impersonator"

This is how I felt today. And I was nowhere near expecting it. People that know me, know my passion for all the circumstances involved in global events, Islam, and politics. Instead of lighting a fire within, surprisingly, I was immediately saddened instead. These celebrations of the ultimate demise of such a maniacal and sinister person, who sowed so much unnecessary carnage and misery... brought nothing but emptiness to me. But as I think about it, is Osama bin Laden really any worse than the some of the people we lock up around the world? Although the powers that be block all UN resoultuions banning capital punishment under international law, only 53 countries still practice the death penalty, with 95 having abolished it all together. Aside from any statisitcs, it was simply a human emotion that clocked me. Following these few inspirational words amongst this 'negetive-celebration' throughout the day was inspiring. Feeling this energy I do what I always do: Blast some tunes.

Immediately coming to mind was my favorite D&B tune by Shapeshifter. I was put onto the New Zeleand group by a good friend of mine who caught their live sets while visiting down-under. Tripping on acid, my boy told me of the group's singer and his soulful voice of a demi-god. Shapeshifter is predominately a live band and as such, their recordings are akin to that of a typical band. The end-product creates a genuine, live atmosphere in their music in an era where computer-based studio music is the standard. The video here is actually not Shapeshifter, but a cover by Portuguese group Afro-Reggae. I chose this because today demonstrated our need to come together, irrelevant of cultural belonging, language barriers, or national borders. We can only bring change to the world for the better if we can step in unison. Afro-Reggae's version is a perfect reminder of a universal message which can transcend time and space through music. The lyrics are translated in the video, so please give them a read. Also, I've put up the original Shapeshifter version below as well. Today was an emotional day for many people, but we must examine ourselves following this symbolic event, to find a way forward. If we can work toward this, hopefully we will never again have to celebrate the death of any human being with such zeal. P.E.A.C.E.

Shapeshifter - Bring Change (Original)

American Memoriam

Picture: U.S. Capt. Alfonso Johnson. Afghanistan, 2009.

Today marks Memorial Day in America, a day when people openly face the reality of war. Whether remembering those who died yesterday for our freedoms or those facing the looming threats of tomorrow, your dedication and discipline will always be remembered and respected. Today the AP featured an uplifting article, with some hip-hop thrown in for excess elevation.

U.S. Capt. Alfonso Johnson, stationed in Afghanistan at the moment, keeps a synthesizer linked up to his computer to make hip-hop beats in his free time. His son Xavier, living in New York, used one of his father's tracks to rap a poem he had written when he was 11, expressing the bottled up feelings about his family’s wartime circumstance; an emotionalism shared by many families well beyond America’s borders. Capt. Johnson often views with pride the homemade video he and Xavier made together knowing that the music helps his son channel the emotions he feels at such a critical age in adolescence, when they can better sense the mortal risk they're parents are taking in combat than younger children. He said the ability of music "can help other kids express themselves, say things that they wouldn't say normally."

Regardless of the diverse opinions we hold about the current wars America's engaged in overseas, let's take this day to remember those who do their honorable duty to protect us from external threats. We also must not forget the numerous Afghan and Iraqi security forces who are confronted with these same issues everyday. These men have lost exponentially more personnel than our forces, yet we often perceive the burden as being on our shoulders alone. We must come together in this accelerating world of complexity and stop irrationally perceiving this deep situation as "us" v. "them." We need to properly analyze our actions independent of bias, ignorance or special interest to move our world forward. Change is inevitable, progress is not. It’s our world to grasp, all of us. The key is reaching out together. P.E.A.C.E.

Code Red - Give Me A Reason

Partying in Pakistan

"A look at the underground youth scenes of Karachi, Pakistan."



Found this interesting. A VC2 producer gets a glimpse into the widespread effect of underground youth cultures popping up around the world. I especially liked the absolutely beautiful DJ Mad and her comments about the scene from her view. "It's only for kids who have been to raves, been to clubs, and have experienced the music and like it. It's not for the masses."

International attention is currently focused on the current state of Pakistan with unease. With negative media associations involving terrorism and conflict within the Muslim world, different perspectives on life and culture should be portrayed more often. Doing so will enable us make better informed decisions before acting upon attitudes and policy which can affect an entire nation of people. We may just realize we aren't so different from one another. P.E.A.C.E.


Picture: Rave in Egypt, 2008.