Y’all saw the flood of 4:44 quotes just hours after #JayZ dropped the project so y’all know Jay Z did the damn thing! We got into the album’s tea but we’ve honestly got bigger fish to fry. Let’s not act like Hov didn’t just go all Spike Lee on us and use his platform to speak to his people — like K. Dot, J. Cole, Ab Soul, and others have also been doing. But this is “Jay Z” and people listen extra careful when he speaks, so we hope y’all were listening. Hov didn’t just drop off his response to #Lemonade, he dropped off his response to #TheSystem as it stands in 2017.
Before we get started, I encourage you to (continue to) do your research! Not to sound like your “too woke” friend, but there honestly and truly was a time when African-Americans were not allowed to read, let alone conduct informative research — so the things we’re about to discuss should be a seed to be watered, or a growth session. Either way it goes, let’s get into this!
Jay Z speaks on classism within the black community in “Story of O.J.” It’s a vital conversation starter and barrier within the black community. Some believe that once we’ve defeated separatism within our own community half of the battle is won. Take Kodak Black’s recent black women comment, for example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UKBVvZppWQ
“The Story of O.J.” has hella keys to choose from but if we’re trying to “stay woke,” it doesn’t matter what class of African-Americanism we choose to rep, to them, we are still just n****s. Yes, even Tiger Woods. When will we realize that WE aren’t OUR own competition. What’s better than one millionaire, right?
I believe Jay was trying to explain how we can productively rebel against the portion of the system designed to keep us financial bound. Two suggestions by Jay: investment and gaining financial freedom.
A few ways we can gain financial freedom:
1. Good Credit
2. Entrepreneurship
3. Investments
4. Saving money and living within your means
Jay spoke about creating a society within a society and while thats another story for another day, it’s important to understand that it is possible.
I say all of this to say… although African American’s were not granted freedom until #Juneteenth (June 19th, 1865), they in reality only have given us a word that centuries later we are still clenching, expecting to make some lemonade from it but, lets consider turning it into a verb. Lets DO this!
Check back next week for #StayWokeSaturdayz. You never know what the alarm clock might be — that society within society topic is calling my name but we shall see what the universe sends my way!
In the meantime, Roommates, #STAYWOKE!
TSR STAFF: Chantel P. @_popchanny on IG!
