Def B: On our state
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Photography By: MonstroM Photography
The first time I ever witnessed police brutality, I was about 12 years old. Up until that point, I was taught that the police were your friends, like every other kid in school back then. I lived in Inglewood California at the time and was walking up the street to go to the store for my mom. I saw about a block ahead of me that a Gang member was walking in my direction. I was nervous because I had been jacked before and was fearful that he would probably run my pockets and take my mom's money, leaving me to have to embarrassingly explain what happened to my mom. To simply walk across the street would show cowardice and almost guarantee a confrontation so I continued forward when all of a sudden out of nowhere, a police car pulled up to him and the two officers jumped out of their car brandishing billy clubs and commenced to beat the gangster to the ground striking him numerous times and then simply jumped back into the car and drove off. I still remember his exact words to me as I walked past him, "Damn Blood, you see that shit?" I sure in the fuck did.
I am Def B a.k.a. M.C. Def B the Original Califloridian and I am a local Hip Hop recording artist. I am also a solo performer as well as a former/current member of the groups "The Hip Hop Villains"- "The Sex Monkeys"- "Gutterborn Productions"- "Gnarlstarz" - and "Irresistible Force Paradox" or I.F.P for short. My latest solo project "Proximity Osmosis" and the I.F.P project "There Will Be Blood" are both available on all streaming platforms. I currently work exclusively with Mylz Media for all production and recording and we are deep into my next solo project which should be released by the end of the year. I usually host about a half dozen or more Hip Hop shows at Tir Na Nog Irish pub annually and play at The Roof with Gnarlstarz and D.J. KRB often. For more info go to Def-B.com
Photography By Monstom Photography
I was always taught to show respect to people of authority even if you thought they were wrong, just to be able to get out of the situation safely. I don't remember which family member showed me this de-escalating technique, but I've been doing it so long that it has become habit. Whenever I get pulled over by the police, for whatever reason, I always turn off the engine, roll down all windows ( if possible ), and stick both hands out of the window with keys in hand. This usually gets a quizzical response but it sets the tone for the rest of the inquisition. They actually end up asking me if I'm ok. Of course, I wish we lived in a world where this was not necessary, but that's not the case.
The recent uprisings are the results of generational injustice towards all people but especially people of color. This great United (?) States of "Ameri-kkk-a" has its historical roots drenched in the blood of native people and was built on the backs of indigenous people, slaves, and immigrants. For people who are not Native American to even have the audacity to claim territorial privilege is simply ignorant. The protests have been going on for decades, they were just isolated to certain areas and times and of limited exposure. What we see today is the accumulation of angst towards the depravity of basic human rights that have not only been asked for but unnecessarily begged for and continuously and illegally denied. There's always an excuse. We have come to a point in time where excuses can no longer be validated and will not be tolerated. The people have spoken and will continue to speak until justice is served and all injustice obliterated.
When the pandemic hit ( Covid - 19), it seemed kind of silly to see people showing us how to wash our hands. We learned this as children and have been doing so ever since, so to see the retraining of it seemed silly in a sense but apparently, it was necessary. We were also taught as children to treat others as you wish to be treated. This lesson appears to need to be retrained. Basic Common Human Compassion. If we looked at everyone we encounter daily as someone we know and love and treated them as such, regardless of race, gender, preference, social status, or religious belief, we can and will make this a better and fair world for all.
This is merely my opinion and should be taken as such. I share it with gratitude and love. Thank you for reading.
