Universal greetings to one & all. With this cosmic breath we share (u.o.e.n.o) This is Cee aka Omegasun aka Mr."Make My Day", he with another edition of Omegasunslight. Today'y topic at hand is the "turn up", "ratchet", "swag" ,"twerk" etc phenomena which is the bastard offspring of the YOLO wave. (You only live once) This mantra of the youth has been a gateway to reckless behavior, social mischief, decreased dignity, intelligence, cultural honor, with increased attention whoring and thirstiness. It has infested the "hood", creating new creatures that as the late, great Rick James would say "that you won't take home to mutha.." Look, I understand the desire to be extra determined. Extra motivated. To be noticed. To take chances and risks that liven up this human experience, but for real. 100. Where's the responsibility? Where's the accountability? Whether you are "ratchet", just loud and boastful with no message nor tact. Tasteless in decision making offering no boundary for your madness. How about the increased activity of "attention whoring" and "thirstiness" (by males & females) to be accepted on levels. (There's levels to this...hahaa) The flashy, grandiose acts displaying nothing but fragments of a shallow & selfish personality. You might be able to afford & wear some of the expensive, flyest fabrics. Go to the "popping" places. Drive some of the coolest whips and still can't escape those "ratchet ways". (Chris B, Ri-RI and a bunch more) Being "ratchet" is now becoming a social caste since America's darling surburbian youth like Lindsay Lo, Amanda Bynes, Justin Beiber, Selena Gomez and oh yes, the fake queen of the twerk (Shout out to the real twerkerz...or not) Miley Cyrus. They have collectively shown that money is not the soultion and can also enable this....lets say "foolery". "Turnt up" is the Turbo boost nitro code word to go full speed ahead into a brick wall of conflict. You might hear a young lady say "I go from 0-60 in 1.2 seconds on a b....." What type of mindset you think that is? Is it productive? Does it afford this person all the best that life has to offer? Turnt up has been exploited enough to become a marketing strategy, making millions. It also fuels the square living mundane person into the ultra whimsical & animated. The soundtrack was actually the revamped "Harlem Shake" videos. Yeah, that initiated or at least "put the stamp" in the socially awkward to run in the phonebooth and come out, shirt off as Super Get-it-poppin. Imagination runs wild but with no respect, runs nothing. Now this behavior sparked in the living experience known as "the hood". Though it is creative, it also showed the wild side of expression when suppressed by conformity. See, our ways in the hood are to form a lane that separates ourselves from the fixed way of doing things in society. "Everybody all shy, oh well, TURNUP!" "Just copped a new belt, I want everyone to see so I'mma sag and my "swag". (another word to bury) These actions have little sled worth in them and attempt to state to all "I am somebody" and/or "Look at me". But these actions lack substance and pale in the sight of true determination & real success. "Ratchet" is a whole other beast and wooo! Its an ugly one. Ratchet is disregard for any moral code of conduct. It is whatever, whenever, with whoever, however whereever. And it always has a following or audience. From the talk shows (that do anything but talk. More exploitation) like Jerry, Maury and yes Piers Morgan. Most "reality" shows that do insane rating numbers. Your Bad Girls Clubs series and most of Mona-Scott Young produced shows (LHHAtl & NY), Every show that have "wives" that aren't "wives"anymore, and that danger Honey Boo Boo. (Little girl if you don't SAT down) That show there, the characters have subtle "hoodish" undertones to make you think its cute. Quips of quick wit that producers of racial shows would have the Big Momma, sassy sista, or slick n...mmm (you know) say for comic relief. Yet it is not about race now (yeah right) Now its about "street cred". Cool points packaged to be exploited on the next pop culture channel by the next fame plagued preteen or young adult...Usually from Disney (hmmm, interesting) I knowledge the fact, young people of other ethnicities see the way "hood" kids roll and like the style in the madness. But when our youth in the streets get educated, compassionate and serious, will there be open arms to embrace their awakening? Will their rise to greatness & redemption be celebrated? Or will society just prefer & accept the "hood" clowning? Exploitation or entertainment? The way it is now exploitation IS the entertainment. Nobody is saying, well I'm not saying, don't let loose & be free. Not to have a blast because that is how we communicate & share. But will this freedom cost our integrity? Only time & choice will tell. I, at this time will personally & officially, bury the words "ratchet", "turnt up" and "swag" from my vocab. If I say any of these words out of poetic context with the "hood" meaning, I will be subject to wearing an "I love Bieber" T-shirt with a Hanna Montana "Best of Both Worlds" book bag and sing Rihanna songs for a whole week. (UGGH..please don't make me) Alright, thanks for reading & please, have a safe Labor day. You & your family. Say NO to any military involvement in Syria and as always...live fully, love freely and don't be RATCHEEEET (Last one, hahaa) Peace.
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