BACKlikeWEneverLEFT

Growing up you’re bred to work.  Many of us have dreams of the types of jobs we would love to work.   However, as we matriculate through life sometimes we fall short from our dream job.   Other times our dream job may not be a stable money making profession leaving us stuck in the pursuit of something more financially pleasing.   Given the fact that life is expensive,  every one understands.   The thing that we tend to lose is what we want to do verses what we need to do.   I was listening to a Kanye interview he was giving with Ricky Smiley last month that really caught my attention.  Those that know me know that Kanye is one of my favorite artists out right now, so I really locked on his conversation.  He mentioned the concept of not being put in a box, which spoke volumes to me.   I tend to draw motivation from various avenues, often times from the rap world.  With that said, Kanye mentioned in his statement that he was more than a just a rapper.   As I heard those words I instantly understood and knew exactly what he meant.   In my understanding of his ( Kanye’s) interview, my gears got to grinding again.   This time I decided to return to BLWNL to share thoughts with everybody.

One of the statements he used was ” you get put in a box and get this diminishing return  on being great in just one field; people tell say you can only do this or why don’t you just stick to this… ‘ and why don’t you just stick to not suggesting  nothing to me!'”  Very influential as I heard it and has continued to be as a I navigate through my daily life.  Far too often people get stuck  for being viewed in one way ie. just a teacher, just a high school dropout , in Kanye’s view of just a rapper.   We as people tend to bring several gifts and tools to the table, wearing several hats as we work.   Unfortunately, the world tends to view you in just one light.

When you look around at people like JayZ, Jaime Foxx, Magic Johnson, and Kanye they have transcended their normal realm, using their talents to tap into other fields. How does that affect you as the reader? Well, all of us have dreams, ideas that may not pertain to our current situation. I’ll use myself, I’m listed as a case worker. However, I’ve come to realize that I’m a motivator, teacher, writer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. I have dreams to be more than just a case worker, but I use that as an opportunity to go further. On the other hand my Co-writer is interested in embarking in the technology field. At this very moment he is doing something different, but continues to keep his hands involved in that area.  With that said it’s difficult not to get placed in a box.

As I look around the world, people become a form of typecast.  Typecast can be best defined as  the process by which a particular actor becomes strongly identified with a specific character; one or more particular roles; or, characters having the same traits or coming from the same social or ethnic groups.  There have been instances in which an actor has been so strongly identified with a role as to make it difficult for him or her to find work playing other characters.   For example seeing your favorite character from a TV show as a new role in another series.   It just doesn’t fit.   Imagine Cole from Martin being somebody’s intelligent doctor, really in the operating room.   Yea I can’t picture that either, never taking him seriously.   Moving forward view your life as a TV show or movie.  One of my favorite quotes from the Idlewild movie is  “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, all with a specific role to play. I was searching for my role in life. You get one shot. Can’t go back and change anything.”  What role do you play?  Are you versatile, can you play multiple roles?  Depending on who you speak to and what point in my life,  I believe I play several roles.  To be honest I am learning all my roles, feels as if I get cast for a new role everyday.   I’ve come to learn to whom much is asked much is given, so I guess it comes with the territory. 

Are you in a box?  Just viewed for one thing and one thing only?  If you are unsure about that answer, take time to find out.   To me when I hear being stuck in a box, I think of a casket.   If that’s the case you’re not living, you’re dead to yourself.   Another box is a TV, easily controlled and manipulated.   Think about where we would be if legendary  African Americans stayed in their BOX.  As I wrap this up, figure out your role and how others view you.   Do you have potential to get another role or will you forever remain in that box.   I tried to attach Kanye’s video to continue with my reasoning.   He goes into more detail.  I got another one coming, tune in good people