Music is Living: Black People and the Music Stereotype

To All God's Children,

" 'Wouldn't you say Pooh?'
'Say what?' asked Pooh, opening his eyes.
'Music and Living.'
'The same thing," said Pooh"

From the Tao of Pooh

--> Schizophrenia is prevalent among African Americans and the textbooks say it’s because of some disorganized parenting styles and high stress lives. I think it’s also because people by nature, not just African Americans, want to enjoy life to the fullest. Like it states in Taoism, music, dancing, and singing is living and being in harmony with nature. Think of one culture that doesn’t have music or dance? The brilliant mind of some impoverished African Americans are being suppressed due to lack of environmental stimulation or resources to promote one’s natural talents and brilliance. In essence, I am saying that like the people of my family, this culture and lifestyle established by our White ancestors have literally driven African Americans crazy. And yes I claim Blacks and Whites in my ancestry because I am part African and Irish American.

It’s evaluated as somewhat condensing to Blacks that we are good dancers and musicians although it’s considered a positive stereotype, but it isn’t a bad thing. Music is life and people who are connected to music are living life to the fullest. They also have a problem with Black rappers because they feel they are undeserving of being in the upper class. Well, why does anyone deserve to be rich? It’s not about deserving it’s just something that happens to certain people. Most rich kids born into privilege are just going to keep right on trucking. They didn’t work for it. At least rappers have to say words in rhythm in order to get where they are – they do something it isn’t handed to them. If anyone should be yelled at for living off of handouts it’s the children of wealthy people.


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-->Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that for some, but can never say all, Blacks that being “smart” is being “uncool” and “White”. White man did not invent knowledge. To be intelligent does not mean being white or uncool. The Hip hop religion was born from rebellion against white men, but really it’s still a submission to their rules. Hooking any sort of negativity into music and dance is admitting that the Puritans were correct. Music and dance plus Satan worship is admitting that the Christian or Puritans are right and that there is a devil that opposes God. Music and dance can be positive. Holy hip hop is not the answer to breaking the negativity that stems from the hip hop religion or way of life. Let the children invent their own way of producing music. Why do we have to do it the “white man’s” way if you have a problem with it? Let the creativity of the children shine and allow a new way to find joy in life without self-degradation.

Peace be with you


Angels Book Series by D. C. Cowan 

The Taoists, Pooh Bear and I

To All God's Children,


-->I’ve come to the conclusion that I am a Taoist by nature and I can’t wait for the next person to ask me what religion I am. I’ll do anything to avoid being the scientific-minded-I’m-so-smart agnostic. Then again, Taoism is more like a way of life than a religion. I’ve also come to the conclusion that I am in fact Winnie the Pooh who apparently also is a Tao master. Each character in the Pooh universe had their own distinct personality that’s what made each character loveable. I had always enjoyed the complexity of Winnie the Pooh, but had never realized that I identified with him.
Like Pooh, I have clumsy moments where I get myself into trouble like he did with the too-much-honey-rump-stuck-in-the-door trick. He has untold wisdom spouts that are few and far between like when he used logic to walk himself and Piglet out of the forest Rabbit helped them get lost in. He cherishes the simple pleasures in life like honey. My simple pleasures are chocolate, poppy seeds on muffins, turkey meat, but also honey; no drugs for me thanks I’ll just have a big hulking cup of cocoa. Also, like Pooh the process of preparing and eating the food is as good as the food itself; I’ve been known to stare into my empty cup that once held lemonade wishing there were more. Effortlessly calm, I usually never blow my top; you have to sink pretty low to do so. I love sitting and pondering with a “Think, Think, Think…”
My family is a combination of these characters from the 100 acre woods. My mother frets like Eeyore, my brother is long-winded and knowledgeable like Owl, and my father is the "Bisy Backson" drifting in and out of the story long enough to call us all silly like Christopher Robin.

Peace be with you

Angels Book Series by D. C. Cowan