#delineationgeneration

Reports of Afrika Bambaataa's death caused a landslide of content & an ongoing debate w/i Black America. The Man is a globally recognized Architect of HipHop Culture; his contribution CANNOT be ignored. That said, the allegations of Child Molestation, & his court loss on Sex Trafficking Charges in Pennsylvania has done significant damage to Bambaataa's legacy. The advent of his death has brought deeper questions about HipHop Culture, Black Entertainers, & the overall effect of Celebrity behavior on Mainstream Society.

Content Creators like: Hassan Campbell, The Star Report, Willie D, & Dwann B have brought excellent questions to the Afrika Bambaataa conversation. While Bambaataa deserves credit for his contribution to HipHop Culture, he also deserves the spotlight for pushing the current Origin Story that places DJ Kool Herc, Himself, & Grand Master Flash as the 'Trinity' of the Culture. This narrative COMPLETELY IGNORES The Black Spades, Disco King Mario, Coke La Rock, & the DeeJays That came before them. In My Essay on HipHop's '50th'(?) Anniversary- I went into detail on WHO came before Kool Herc, Bam, & Flash. Grand Master Flash in particular comes across like he was divinely inspired, but doesn't mention the influence of Grand Wizard Theodore, or the fact that he carried Crates for the 'Master Plan Bunch'.

Many 'Old School' Rappers have been silent (to this point), but comments by Chuck D & KRS One have been heavily scrutinized. Chuck basically thanked Bambaataa for being an influence on him, & for helping him along the way. Chuck D went on to imply that Bambaataa's 'accomplishments' should be separated from his 'alleged' misgivings, & got COOKED! Chuck's original Post has since been deleted. KRS One also spoke on Bambaataa's death, & stressed Bam's importance to 'The Culture'. Kris went as far as saying that Our 'Leaders' should be exempt from criticism, & ALSO got Cooked! I don't know why, but hearing Chuck D & KRS One speak in accord, reminded Me of other times they 'Spoke on behalf of The Culture'.

The few 'Old Heads' speaking out about Afrika Bambaataa, are basically saying the same thing: 'Bam's sexual preference was an open secret in The Bronx, & probably the WORST KEPT SECRET in HipHop Culture'(???)... I have said many times over The Years that 'I don't recall EVER seeing Afrika Bambaataa (or Grand Master Flash for that matter) w/ a Woman, but I never knew that it was an 'Open Secret'. In retrospect, his Parties make more sense now. Bambaataa gets credit for Opening the Door to HipHop Culture, & taking it 'Downtown'. Puerto Rican Breakers, Punks, along w/ SoHo Artists & Designers were regulars at Bam's Events. As Children, We thought it was because Bam played Break Beats from different genres; now it looks more personal.

Content Creators have been laser focused on the accusations of Child Molestation, more than Bam's contribution to HipHop Culture. The initial discussion has expanded into a (long overdue) conversation on Molestation in the Black Community. In My 'New Year's Post', I pointed out that 2026 is a 'Year Of Manifestation'- a year when Things come to a Head. The Delineation Movement has reached the 'House Cleaning' phase, just in time for Spring. As We re-examine Our Culture, it's important to acknowledge the elements that need to be Weeded Out. We have to be honest about the bad habits that We picked up from Chattel Slavery & Integration w/ 'Black & Brown' Immigrant Groups.

Afrika Bambaataa is NOT the only figure in HipHop Culture w/ allegations of Child Molestation. Several Producers have been run through the Rumor Mill over the last 30+Yrs. We heard about the Hollywood Stories- from Shirley Temple to Roman Polanski, but the number of Black Celebrities facing rumors can't be ignored. Bambaataa's position as a [shamed] Cultural Icon has become an excellent starting point for a sober discussion about the State of Our Culture. What sets Black American Culture apart from Everyone Else, is Our ability to hold Ourselves accountable. We don't play semantics, or make excuses for bad behavior; We Own it.

The subject of Bambaataa's 'Legacy' is creating another conversation in the Black Community. Bam was the first person that I heard narrating the '1520 Sedgwick Avenue' Story of HipHop. Kool Herc was elevated above ALL of the DeeJays that came before him, & We were initially silent when Bam referred to Herc as: The'God Father' of HipHop. The Seeds of Doubt in this narrative were sowed by Kool Herc himself. Shortly after his 'coronation', Herc began to change his appearance. He no longer resembled Fred Williamson; now he resembled Peter Tosh. HipHop Heads in NYC took note, but We were doing Our 'Pan Afrikan Thang'. At that Time, We saw a kindred spirit in Our Jamaican Neighbors. We partied together & embraced the Culture, Food, & Music. We knew that Kool Herc was Jamaican, & didn't sweat his cultural expression.

Herc's luster began to fade when he bowed before U- Roy, & referred to him as: 'His King'. Kool Herc has been careful w/ his words ever since. The claims of Herc being 'The Foundation' aren't coming from him; they're coming from 3rd Generation Artists like: Pete Rock, Busta Rhymes, & Fat Joe. The deeper conversation w/i Bambaataa's 'Origin Story', is the prominence of Immigrants & the TOTAL ABSENCE of Indigenous Black Americans. Their [Collective] influence on The Culture has seen the transformation of B- Boys & B- Girls (like Gremlins), into Rude Boys, Ragamuffins, & Dancehall Girls. HipHop Music used to be something that you could play around your Parents & Elders; it created conversations between the Younger & Older Generations.

The Current manifestation, is just vulgar. Most of the Songs have more profanity than content. The lack of Content & Originality may be the reason why Current Artists are having problems filling Arenas. The integration of these 'Other Cultures' into HipHop, is why some are arrogantly claiming Ownership. Bambaataa heard the conversations, but he never tried to set The Record straight. The Current State of HipHop is Bam's 'Legacy'- it stands as a reflection of his Vision & his Deviance. As We continue these conversations on 'Culture' & being 'On Code', We have to pay attention to the Methods being used to infiltrate Us... I thought that HipHop's 1st Generation was the 'Golden Age', but in light of the contradictions of several HipHop Pioneers, I have a feeling that 'The Golden Age' hasn't happened yet.

If Joe Biden kept his Word 2 Black America & passed the 'George Floyd Justice In Policing Act', the tragedy of Renee Good's death would look very different.

Mainstream Media went out of their way 2 discredit George Floyd & deem him not important enuf 2 B The Face of 'Police Reform'. The Man offered little 2 no resistance 2 Derek Chauvin, but he became the Villain of The Story. Philando Castile was killed while exercising his 2nd Amendment Right (in front of his Woman & Baby), but the NRA stayed SILENT. We told EVERYONE: The Pendulum swings BOTH WAYS- what affects Us, WILL affect U, but We were largely ignored.

Now that [Indigenous] Black America has delineated from Mainstream Society, Folks R starting 2 realize that 'America' is actually 'AmeriKKKa'. Now, Themfolks want 2 compare Renee Good 2 George Floyd- in an effort 2 get Black bodies in the Streets. In truth, Renee Good doesn't compare w/ Heather Heyer. Meanwhile, Mainstream Media remains silent about Keith Porter, who was killed by an Off Duty ICE Agent in Los Angeles back on New Year's Day... Blackfolk AREN'T coming out 2 defend a Woman who tried 2 exercise her 'White Privilege' in defense of Illegal Immigration.

Despite Mainstream Media Reports saying that Renee Good was simply dropping her children off @ School, different camera angles, along w/ the ICE Agent's Body Cam show Renee being the aggressor, while her Wife antagonized Agents & urged her 2 drive away. Liberals R crying foul, but Blackfolk KNOW not 2 make ANY 'sudden moves' when being detained. An Agent was asking her to step out her vehicle, while another (mysteriously) stood in front of the vehicle. When U factor in that ICE Agent's previous incident- where he was dragged by a Suspect & needed 33 stitches, the Story becomes more tragic.

Ultimately, America has 2 decide what's more important- a Society that locks Black America out of Real Opportunities & stagnates Our Right of Expression (as Citizens), or a Society that actually strives 2 espouse the Values written in the U.S. Constitution? Understand that choosing 'A' means that U will ALSO B subject 2 the Oppression Tactics used on Black Americans, when U go against the 'National Agenda'. As We keep saying: The Pendulum swings Both Ways; We have 250Yrs of Experience dealing w/ 'Americanism'. We have been subjected 2 EVERYTHING they could imagine & We're STILL HERE! Will U fare as well?

The Essence Festival 'Flop' is proof positive that Blackfolk are setting boundaries & Gatekeeping Our Culture. Some of the comments regarding this 'Gatekeeping' are woefully uninformed. If The Essence Festival was a Pan Afrikan Event, these people would have a point. What We're really talking about, is 'Original Coke'. Imagine if someone bought Coca-Cola & tried to change the formula? THAT is Black America's perspective. We see this as Cultural Colonialism. The fact that the Organizers actually thought they could push their Agenda & monetize the expectation that Blackfolk would simply follow along, is the highest Insult.

The Essence CEO, Caroline Wanga is a walking contradiction. Among many things, she says that Essence isn't looking to diminish Black American Culture, but the write up on the Event speaks of a spotlight on Nigerian Culture. Stephanie Mills' 'Open Letter' gracefully expressed the sentiments of the Blackfolk that attended. The Theme Song of the Event should've been Public Enemy's 'Who Stole The Soul'?... The whole 'Joloff vs Jambalaya' thing wreaks of Tribalism. Message to the Organizers:: Blackfolk DON'T go to New Orleans for Joloff Rice.

The main theme of the Comments responding to Black American indignation over the Essence Festival is: 'Well, Afrikans purchased it & have the right to do with it as they please. If We're so attached to the Essence Brand, We should've done more to hold on to it'. NONE take into account that Essence was White Owned for over 10Yrs, but Time Inc. didn't make wholesale changes to the 'Essence Formula'. What struck Me the most, was the common tone of condescension & arrogance in the responses.

These people are literally bragging about 'appropriating' a Lane (Resource) to push an Afrikan Agenda, at the expense of Black American Culture. Meanwhile, they expect Black Americans- Black Women in particular, to invest in something that openly circumvents their presence. We are now hearing from Local Vendors in New Orleans, folks that participated in the Essence Festival for Years; They feel ostracized. Festival Organizers focused on untested Pan Afrikan Vendors more than the Local Vendors that contributed to the success of the Essence Festival over the Years. It goes against the most elementary rule of Capitalism: ALWAYS keep your Customer Base happy.

These people tried to squeeze a Square Peg in a Round Hole. While many scratch their heads, I look to History. Before the Rise of Ibrahim Traore & the AES, Afrikan Leadership across The Continent & around The Diaspora behaved like the Organizers of the Essence Festival. In The 'Age of Liberation', these folks were more concerned w/ fighting their neighbors, than the People who Colonized them. They were more concerned about the number of 'Benzes' they owned, than the development of their Nations. This is a facet of their Cultural Behavior. Delineation has allowed Me a chance to take off the Pan Afrikan glasses & REALLY look at The Diaspora. Black America, as a Collective doesn't move like the Afrikan Diaspora. We're like the Russians, who desire to be European, but are seen as 'Tatars'. Just as the Russians learned (the Hard Way) to Stand on their Square, Black America has learned the same Lesson.

We are fully aware of the opportunities that We created for ALL Immigrants. We experienced betrayal from Irish, German, Italian, & Eastern European Immigrants; Our commitment to Pan Afrikanism blinded Us to the Agenda of (so called) Black & Brown Immigrants. We literally took in a homeless Family Member & gave them Run of the House. 50 Years later, this person is now claiming the Right to be on the Property Deed. Black & Brown Immigrants, as a Collective, are very disrespectful to Black Americans. They try to exhibit an air of Intellectual & Cultural Superiority; in truth, they aspire to 'Whiteness' to the degree that they repeat Anti- Black talking points Word for Word... They're quick to point out their rapid success in AmeriKKKa, but always leave out the part where they get opportunities that Blackfolk never get.

They're quick to sign up for Grants & Programs meant for Black Americans, but are just as quick to say: "I'm not Black!" From 1865- 1900, Black America raised Our Collective Literacy Rate faster than ANY Ethnic Group in History. We CREATED dozens of Independent Towns & Hundreds of Businesses. White America's 'Fear of Black Rule' led to their destruction, & the current Benign Neglect Policies that keep Us stagnated. Black Immigrants like to tout their success, but after 35Yrs- 50Yrs of Government Backed progress in AmeriKKKa- where is their 'Little Lagos', 'Little Accra' or 'Little Nairobi'? Caribbean Americans have had more success, but they build on existing foundations (e.g. Flatbush, Crown Heights, Wakefield, Richmond Hill, Laurelton) & have yet to match Black Towns from the Turn of the 20th Century. Neither the Afrikan nor Caribbean Immigrant had to contend with 'Whitelash' in response to their success.

The notion that Black America is being xenophobic in Our decision to delineate is ludicrous. NO OTHER LINEAGE GROUP championed Pan Afrikanism more than Black Americans. The RBG Flag was originally called 'The Black Liberation Flag', but in the spirit of Pan Afrikanism, We expanded it to include The Diaspora. That said, how many Immigrants wave that flag? How many Afrikan Nations actually adopted the colors into their National Flag? We were the vanguard of Pan Afrikanism for over 100Yrs, all while being told that We weren't Afrikan. We're no longer arguing w/ them. In fact, Our Scholars have gone Full Circle & are now examining Our History HERE.

For The Record: Less than 10% of Transatlantic Afrikans made it to North America. Most Black Americans are descendants of American Indians (Woodland Indians, 'Coppertoned Aboriginies') who are indigenous to This Continent. Our Ancestors were POWs from 'The Indian Wars' with Spanish, Dutch, English & French Colonialists. They were placed in Prison Camps that later became Plantations; THAT is the consistency of the 13th Amendment with the Colonist Mindset. There was also a large contingent of 'Free Blacks' that owned Property & Businesses. We were spoon fed 'Out of Afrika Theory' for nearly 200Yrs, but Our Ancestors have been in North America for Tens of Thousands of Years. Our Pyramids are older than the Afrikan Pyramids.

When The Diaspora says We don't have a Culture, We only have to point to American Culture. The Food, Style, Language, Music, & overall Swagger of America is based on Blackfolk. When you take away Our influence, America looks like just another European Nation. Our Labor & Inventions elevated American Capitalism over Europe. Our Patriotism & Valor elevated 13 Colonies to a World Power. EVERYONE knows that We're the 'Special Sauce' that makes America 'Great'... The Organizers of the Essence Festival let their ethnocentrism (Tribalism) get in the way of Business. They appear to be so quick to wash the taste of Black America out their mouths, they forget that they [STILL] Stand on Our Shoulders & Eat off Our Plate.

We're a Lineage Group of Originators, Builders, Innovators & Fighters- We're naturally competitive. Essence wasn't the first publication of its kind, & it won't be the last. If the Essence Management Team wants to take the brand Pan Afrikan, I say Good Luck! We'll just create a New Lane to express & tout the [Multifaceted] Excellence of Indigenous Black American Women. If We use 'Afro Beats' as a gauge for the future success of Essence, We won't have much competition globally.