#DCorNothing
WASHINGTON - I came across a song by one of my favorite rappers called DC or Nothing. In the song, Wale is pouring out his heart to the youth of Washington, D.C, doing all he can to instill hope the best possible way he could. Wale's music has inspired me since I was younger. I decided to breakdown a few important bars in this song in hopes to touch a young man or woman's life, and help them make a change that'll change their lives for the better:
"different neighborhoods killing over what isn't theirs." - Wale
Why do you risk your life, and other peoples lives over a street you don't own? I never understood gang violence. I have been surrounded by it my entire life and not once believed that gang violence was the right way. The street you are killing someone over can't do anything for you. Put the guns down, think before you make a decision that could turn your life around in a negative way.
"Seen it over a dollar, got him under a flower." - Wale
No amount of money is worth your life. Your life is too valuable to the point that money cant buy. We all have to understand the importance of life is much more important than the amount of money you have. As cliché as it may sound, money is the root to all evil and there are many who risk their lives for a dollar amount. No amount is worth it.
"I done seen embalming fluid ruin a n* promise." - Wale
Drugs ruin lives. They take the potential out of so many young men and woman who have so much promise growing up. The worst is to see a young promising athlete throw their life away by abusing a street drug they became addicted to. Len Bias was an all-American basketball player at the University of Maryland and was drafted 2nd overall to the Boston Celtics in 1986 NBA Draft. Bias never played a minute in the NBA because of his tragic death the night he was drafted. The cause of his death was a drug overdose, a drug he used only one time.
"Ain't nobody here leading, its way too easy to follow." - Wale
Always be a leader. Never follow anyone that will lead you to dangerous situations that will negatively affect you. There aren't enough positive role models in every area of this city. The children that are in the environments with less role models are forced to follow whatever is most available. Stand up and be a leader, stand for the right thing and not the wrong thing. Make a change in your community.
"They knee deep in today, ain't too fond of tomorrow." - Wale
Focus on what new journeys tomorrow has in store for you. Never stay content on where you are in your young life, expect more from yourself. There is always more you can do to better yourself. Don't get caught up where you are today, everyday starts a new adventure.
"Although weight gets you paper, I hope you're weighing your options." - Wale
Selling drugs is an easy way to earn money, but is an easier way to spending time in jail. Don't throw your life away by resorting to selling drugs. There are so many more opportunities in making money. There are people who went to jail for year who wish they didn't become apart of any drug related activities, some thought they had too. No one has to sell drugs, its a choice you make just like everything else.
Wale's music has messages he wants the people of Washington, D.C hear. Its not just for the young people in the city, its for the ones who should be leaders that aren't. Wale's music has touched me and has given me a different view on life. We who grew up in the city have had similar struggles, we have been exposed to similar things, and with that we all in some form have the "D.C mentality." We should be proud to be products of D.C, not a statistic. I hope this blog could help someone who is struggling with a difficult situation and feels like their back is against the wall. Work hard, and never give up, don't take the easy road. Tough times don't last, tough people do.
"May you see your dreams allowed, before you see them from a cloud May your glass never reach half-empty, may your enemies find the inner-peace before it ever get to beef." - Wale