eXcape the matriX Political Survey

eXcape the matriX politics outside the box – Survey/Quiz

1.) Do you vote according to party or according to the issues that matter to you?

A. If you vote by party explain why
B. If you vote by the issues explain what issues matter to you

2.) Do you believe the Bush Administration did a good job in helping America become a better country over the last 7 (almost 8) years? If yes why? If not why?

3.) Do you consider yourself a Democrat, Republican or Independent?

4.) If a candidate from another party spoke to issues that meant a great deal to you would you be willing to cross party lines?

5.) What has been the most significant moment in the presidential race for you thus far?

6.) In light of comments made by Pastor Jeremiah Wright (Former Pastor to Barak Obama) and Geraldine Ferraro (Former Female vice presidential hopeful and financial contributor to Hillary Clinton’s campaign) how much does race matter to you when it comes to your day to day life in America? Does it matter at all?

7.) One of the issues being brought up in this race is patriotism. How much of a patriot are you? Some political pundits find that it’s wrong to be anti American and live here. Some don’t understand how some cultures can be pro American after the things the government has put them through. What are your thoughts?


8.) Did you vote in your primary or caucus? If so who did you vote for and why? If you didn’t vote please explain your reasoning.

Nas and N*gger

By: Kenneth Michael
Dinkajay802@aol.com

The term “nigger” is a racist and offensive adjective used heavily by whites to describe African Americans in the nineteenth and early mid-part of the twentieth century. A nigger was considered ignorant, uneducated and lower in economical class when describing the minority race of blacks through white Southerner’s eyes. Used as slang in present day society, the word “nigga” expresses a sign of endearment between individuals inside the black community. With a swift removal of 2 letters replaced by 1, a word that was once deemed offensive and racist to the black community is now welcomed only in the black community with handshakes. No matter the change in letters of the term, the word still boasters the same tension if spoken by the wrong race or in the wrong tone today. The word is censored in many public forums and media outlets; there has been recent talk by civil right activists for the word’s abolishment.

“We’re taking power away from the word,” was rapper Nas’ response to the February 2008 release of his controversial album titled “Nigger.” The album’s title was changed from “Nigga” to the present title “Nigger,” which has caused uproar in the entertainment industry and among civil right activists. In an interview with MTV News, the often labeled “conscious” rapper said, “I’m talking to the streets…I wanna make the word easy on mutha----as' ears. You see how white boys ain't mad at 'cracker' 'cause it don't have the same [sting] as 'nigger?' I want 'nigger' to have less meaning [than] 'cracker.' With all the bullsh-- that's going on in the world, racism is at its peak.”

“[For You] To think I’m going to say something that’s not intellectual is calling me a nigger.”

Civil rights activist Reverend Al. Sharpton who, completely reproves the album’s title, says the rapper “is helping out the racists.” Nas’ response to the present day civil rights activist is one of simply understanding the message behind the unreleased album and not just its title. “If Cornel West (the philosopher) was making an album called “Nigger,” they would know he’s got something intellectual to say. To think I’m going to say something that’s not intellectual is calling me a nigger.” Nas’ can be labeled among one of the conscious rappers in the hip-hop world that speaks on social and political issues. His last album was controversially titled “Hip-Hop is Dead...,” which addressed the state of hip-hop music, its history, and the essence of the genre. According the MTV News interview, Nas could attempt to bridge the connection between streets and the real history behind the N-word, sort of the N-word 101. “No disrespect to none of them who were part of the civil right movement, but some of my n----as in the streets don’t know who Medger Evers was. I love Medger Evers…they (people in the streets) know who Nas is.”

“We’re taking power away from the word.”

With support from Civil Rights activists lacking, artists in the music industry support Nas and the album’s title. Rapper/ President of Def Jam, Jay-Z, (the label that houses Nas) and Island Def Jam music chairman, L. A. Reid, both stand behind the artist’s decision. Jay-Z says, “He's not just doing it for the sake of being provocative. Of course we're going to support his art...I hope [the concept] is coming from a great place.”

From a media and advertising standpoint, will this album receive the same promotion as the rapper’s previous album? With the album carrying a taboo word that is heavily censored in the media, how will it come across to the public and radio?

Reid, Shaheem (2007, Oct 18). Nas Explains Controversial Album Title, Denies Reports Of LabelOpposition. Retrieved November 05, 2007, from MTVNews Web site: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572287/20071018/nas.jhtml
Reid, Shaheem (2007, Nov 1). Nas' Album Title Gets Support From Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, LL Cool J,Reverend Run. Retrieved November 05, 2007, from MTVNews Web site: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573280/20071101/nas.jhtml http://holamun2.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/Nas.jpg

Homophobia Vs. Heterophobia - What are you afraid of?

Charese McLean-Davis
Westcoasteditor@excapthematrix.com



Up until very recent years, homosexuality was considered a “dirty little secret,” a taboo subject (especially in the church) and/or one of the few reasons that it was acceptable to dislike a person. In fact, homosexuality was once considered a psychiatric disorder. There are countless accounts of gay hate crimes which are too heinous to mention. The question as to whether a heterosexual individual could be “suffering” from homophobia can even be given a yea or nay. In 1994, the “Wright, Adams, and Bernat Homophobia Scale” was developed by several doctors at that University of Georgia. The objective of the questionnaire was to measure the thoughts and reactions of those who completed it and consequently, a determination as to whether or not the respondent was homophobic could be made.


I will admit it. As a girl that was brought up in a somewhat strict Christian home, the idea of homosexuality was always somewhat daunting to me. Perhaps it was because I couldn’t conceive of how one could desire someone else of the same sex. Maybe it was because I was afraid of risking the licks of hell’s fire if I associated with those that were “choosing sin.” What I understand today is that as a teen, most of my fear was born out of misinformation about sexuality in general. I mean, I never even got “the” talk from my mother! How could I fully understand sex, let alone a same sex relationship? The A.I.D.S. epidemic is not the result of gay promiscuity, you cannot catch “gayness,” those that are gay are not any more promiscuous than heterosexuals, and being gay does not mean that you want to switch genders.


Today, I’m wiser and have set my own ground rules and belief system (all gay folks are not going to hell; plenty of straight folks are). Yet the idea that I was ever or could still be even a little “homophobic” was disconcerting for me; I needed to rule it out. So I braved the Homophobia Scale, answering it as honestly and openly as I could. Voila! As I suspected, I’m not homophobic. My curiosity peaked.




I reached out to my friends and acquaintances to find out where they stood on the issue. I sent out questions from the Homophobia Scale. Below are some of the responses I received:



1. Do you feel that marriage between homosexual individuals is acceptable?


“ABSOLUTELY NOT! Since when do gay people get to re-write the Bible? Since never!” – Female, 23


“I really couldn’t care less. I’d rather they do that then marry ME on the down low!” – Female, 32


“Two women getting married is hot! I would love for them to cheat on each other with me!” – Male, 44



2. Would it upset you if you learned that a close friend was homosexual?


“No. I would hope I’ve been a good enough friend for them to want to tell me.” – Female, 39


“I would never speak to any guy friend if he came out of the closet to me. Hell no.” – Male, 32


“I wouldn’t want any of my friends to be gay because they might get hurt. I wouldn’t care but some people at school don’t like gay people and might try to hurt them.” – Male, 13



3. Do you believe that “gay people deserve what they get?


“If they aren’t careful, then yeah, they asked for it!” – Male, 32
“That’s ridiculous. Gay people don’t do any more dirt than straight people. I love my dirt and I’m real straight!” – Male, 24


“I believe that we have to get to the bottom of whether or not homosexuality is a sin before we can really discuss this.” - Male, 44



4. Does it bother you to see two homosexual people together in public?


“Yeah, it does. It should bother me. I have kids and I have to worry about them enough as it is. Explaining that doesn’t help.” – Female, 35


“I think it does. I never really thought about it but I think so. I just don’t get it. To each his own I guess.” – Male, 31


“It doesn’t bother me unless there’s a bunch of PDA going on, but that also bothers me when I see straight couples going at it. Get a room!” - Female, 26



5. Do you feel that homosexuality is immoral?


“I do. I’m sorry but I do. I’m a Christian and that’s what I have to base my truth on. I don’t think they’re bad people, but I do think that what they’re doing is wrong. On the flip-side, who wants to fight against who they are? That would suck if I had to do that.” – Male, 30


“I think it’s wrong but that all people are the same. I happen to believe it’s a sin but I have so many things that I struggle with that I can’t even begin to throw stones.” – Female, 26


What do these answers tell us about where society has placed the idea of homosexuality? Well, nothing much. As with years past, the subject of the acceptance of homosexuality continues to be split down the middle.




The other side of the coin is one that is quite surprising. The topic of heterophobia is one that most people are not too familiar with. However, the term is one that is quite common. In addressing 5 different homosexuals about their views of heterosexuality, I asked them some questions, which garnered interesting results.


1. Why do you think there is so much animosity where homosexuality is concerned?


“People are afraid of their own truth. They can’t deal with the fact that we’re open in our truth and they can’t be because they might be ostracized.” – Male, 22


“I’m really tired of the ‘holier than thou s***. I know too many people in the church that are under cover gays. THAT’S why they overcompensate and say we’re all going to hell. Please…we’ll be next to each other!” – Male, 31


“I’m not sure. I wish people would leave me alone. I didn’t choose this. I’m beginning to hate straight people because they make my life a living hell.” – Male, 17

2. Do you believe in the “down low” phenomenon? Discuss the fear that is being caused by it.


“There’s no such thing. You’re gay. And I’m sick of hearing about how ‘straight men’ can’t leave their wives for me but they can ‘be themselves’ with me. They’re on the down low with being straight, not from being gay! You’re already gay and someone somewhere knows it, and it’s probably your wife.” – Male, 31


“I’ve been seeing the same guy for a year now and if we get caught, he’s going to say that I seduced him. So called ‘straight’ people are the ones that keep drama going. I’m fine being gay. If you’re hiding it, how is that my fault? – Male, 27


“You can’t trust straight people at ALL. They’re cool until I tell them I’m gay. I’ve been hurt so many times that I don’t even bother giving them my time. I don’t deserve being hurt just because you’re close minded. To think you’re better than me is a cop out. – Female, 26

3. Do you feel pressured to conform to heterosexuality?


“I feel that pressure every day. It’s SO hard for me to go to school because of how I’m treated by straight people. Why is it that they call themselves ‘normal’ but they’re the ones acting like animals? - 17 year old male


“Hell naw!” – 27 year old male


Over the past 3 or so years, I’ve become close with a few people (male and female) that happen to be gay. I don’t choose to “overlook” their sexual orientation, I love them unconditionally by choice. I have come to know them well enough to understand that their being gay is not all that they are about. They don’t judge me based upon my choices, faults or innate ability to see pink bunnies dancing in my head every now and again. Whatever my beliefs are on the subject, it is more than crucial for me that they know I love them. I would hope that I would receive that same acceptance from the homosexual community. One thing my mother did make sure she taught me was that the Golden Rule applies to everyone. After all, isn’t that what the Bible teaches us to do across the board?

Great Minds - The Like Mindedness of two Religions

Questions asked by: Quill Wordsmith
Answered by: Pastor Dennis Freeman and Brother Farajii Muhammad

wordsmith@excapethematrix.com

It was a life changing interview and it couldn’t all be documented in one, not even two articles. Pastor Dennis Freeman of Lif’ Jesus Church and Bro. Farajii Muhammad, student in the ministry class of Muhammad Mosque #6, came together for not just a conversation and not just to share views, but to unite and express honestly that religion is a label, but a spiritual relationship with God is a vitality.
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What are at least 3 things you admire about the Muslim/Christian faith?

DF: Three things that I admire….well, there’s a lot of order to Islam. The teaching concerning family life, particularly the respect of the understood position a woman has for a man and not just wife for a husband, whether its kids or adults. They worship God. There are only so many theological ways but the fact is (as much as anyone knows) they are monotheistic in that sense.
What I was thinking about is (pause) are you a member of the Nation of Islam?

FM: Yes under Min. Farrakhan.

DF: I admire the order of Islam. There are some differences between Islam and the Nation of Islam. There are some things I don't agree with, but overall I respect the fact that they have a high standard for African American awareness and uplifting. They aren't trying to tear down black people but they are making people aware.

DF: I am hard against Christianity, black Christianity specifically. Be all the way live and raw with it.

FM: Min. Farrakhan said “to be a Christian means a person who is crystallized in the oneness of God”. What that speaks to me is, how I admire those individuals who are willing to walk the same path that Christ walked. I admire that. That's not an easy walk in 2007 modern day America. Any person that's willing to take that stand, walks the walk, and be committed about it. I have much love for that. The principles, the life, and to preach do and live, the way that Jesus has - - takes a lot.

When people talk about religion, there are 2 [religions] that comes to mind that have followers that are serious and devout about their belief: Christianity and Islam. Regardless where the individual may be in their development, it is Christianity. They may not go to church but they say they are a Christian. They may not do “A, B, or C” but they say they are Christian because deep down in their hearts they have a desire to be righteous. That's a beautiful thing.
The other thing I'll say that I admire about Christians: a good Christian that I see (and there are many different sects and ideologies about it) a Christian who is able to remove all the divisions and labels and really live their life in obedience to God, that's beyond admirable right there. I've come across a lot of Christian brothers & sisters who I can see as brother to brother as opposed to Christian to Muslim. Lastly, I always admire the knowledge that a Christian has about the bible. In Islam we are taught by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, that we must have a thorough knowledge about the Bible and the Holy Qur’an. However, the scripture of the Muslims, the Holy Qur’an is a book that black people in America are familiar with. It's the bible that our people are familiar with, he has always taught us how to look at that scripture and to see the good in that scripture and to teach from that scripture with truth. We believe in the truth of the bible but also we believe that it has been tampered with and that it must be reinterpreted so that mankind won't be snared by the falsehoods in it.

"I'm a student of the bible and the Holy Qur’an. When I see a brother or sister that knows the scripture and they are able to pull a scripture out and teach the truth of it, I’m like MAN! My grandmother was a Baptist, when I heard the reverend pull out a scripture and speak, those words were righteousness. It's a living word. I admire the Christians who know scripture."

DF: the ones who know it....

FM: yeah the ones who know it.

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If there’s anything you could suggest for bettering or improving the Muslim/Christian faith what would it be?

FM: (repeats the question) We don't believe in polytheism. We don't believe in the teaching of three entities representing one God. The idea of the trinity I would suggest looking at again. Christianity was something that was imposed on us by our slave masters in that, he used scripture, he came under the good name of the prophets, especially Jesus, and he manipulated us (black people). The Honorable Elijah Muhammad taught us the slave ship that brought us to America, was named Jesus. It's not by coincidence that he named the slave ship after the one who we love. But the piece is, that polytheistic teaching - - I would definitely change it. It doesn't serve purpose for the one God. And to me, what does that really mean? How do those three things connect? How can you have the father, then the son on the same level as the Father, and what does the Holy Spirit play. When mathematics tells us you can't put three into one. I've really thought about that, and that can really be confusing to the people. Scientifically that doesn't make sense - scientifically, mathematically, and spiritually.

The other part is the belief in heaven and hell. We're taught by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad that heaven and hell aren’t two different places, but two states of mind. Has anyone ever been there? There's no evidence that these two places exist. The mind state is what’s existent. You can have a heavenly state of mind when you're on one accord with God; you can have a hellish state of mind when you’re not in tuned with you’re the nature you’re created in. When the astronauts went beyond the atmosphere they didn't run into heaven. If you go to the core of the earth - no man can withstand that heat. So those are two points I would change and have our people think twice about. If they don't believe in the trinity they can still be Christian. If they don't believe in the physical heaven and hell, they can still be Christian. They are the founding elements of Christianity.

DF: Am I open for reply?

FM: Please talk to me brother!!

DF: I'm an all the way live follower of Christ. There's different ways and definitions to the word Christians. It's basically the following of the teaching and ways of Christ. One who was born again, but on the idea of the trinity, I picked that apart a long time ago. This is volume one of the series called Misunderstood Bible Passages: Biblical Answers for "Taboo" Questions. The Lord told me to bring my laptop for this reason. I will say that it is either THE biggest or it's one of the biggest. What we call being a totally born again Christian involves solely your belief in that trinity. If you believe in the trinity, why be in something - which you don't know about? You pointed out bruh, that thinking is what's necessary, understanding what the paper says is what's most important. That's one of the reasons I pull things apart as much as I do. I'm 31; I was born again when I was 7. I continue to grow and learn, and around the age of 12, I began teaching in church and even preaching here and there. I became an official licensed minister when I was 24. That tells you that I'm teaching and preaching but I'm not official until I'm 24. That goes to show you how you have to follow this guidelines but that still can't [provide] a biblical reason why I follow....

Yeah how does the trinity work? What I found out to make me say that I do believe, you go back to the original languages of the bible. Genesis 1:1 begins in Hebrew by opening the door to the possibility of the trinity being God. Once you understand you can't help but be enlightened. Gen. 1:1 “God made the heavens and earth”. God in Hebrew is Elohim and that form of Elohim, scholars say that it means Creator but also means God in the plural form. And I was like WOW why would God be addressed in the plural form? Further down as you read in Genesis 1 verse 26, according to the New International Version (I use that because scholars say that's one of the most accurate translations today. I don't use KJV because it’s Old English and some of the meanings are completely different.) God says "Let Us...." I looked at the Us, Image, and Likeness Image and Likeness are synonymous but different also. When you look in the New Testament we are being conformed through that new birth process to the likeness of God. To be conformed to that likeness that's what you're going to. That's what you were originally made for. Mind Body Spirit!!! Father Son Holy Ghost - - see what's synonymous about Body spirit, being; the image comparison from humanity to God. God is the Mind. The Son beside the body. The holy spirit beside the human spirit.

FM: So what you're really talking about is - - well I don't know how many Christians look at it like that.

DF: Less than 10% probably.

FM: You have a better understanding about the reality of God from hearing you talk. Do you believe God is a man?

DF: I believe God is not only a man.

FM: So you believe God can come in the form of a man?

DF: Certainly, he's all powerful, omnipotent.

FM: In Islam we believe God has always represented himself in the form of man. Not to say that he's constrained. But it wouldn't make sense for him to be physical and then go back to the nonmaterial. It doesn't make sense. That right there - - can show us if we look back throughout history and scripture we can see why Abraham in the bible said he saw three men approach him and his wife. One of those men was God himself, and two of them were the angels next to him. His wife entertained God, can I get you some water or something to eat. People don't understand that.

DF: No, people don't pick up on that. Media has done so many things to blind us, you just don't get it.

FM: I was looking in Revelation and the dragon brought down 3/4 of the stars. Look at the growth of Satan in Genesis when he was just a snake, and now in Revelations he's a dragon with international power. It's good dialogue to talk about the scripture with someone who is spiritually conscious and that is able to give you a little more insight. What the people need today from (both religions) is for the scriptures to be made relevant for today's time. In both sides Christianity prosperity teaching - - Islam high [venerated] teaching. The people aren't there yet. That's why people are going insane trying to understand religion because they don't have any real root in what they believe. Jesus is all the way over there. Mohammad is so high up he's out of reach. Is Abraham the only friend of God? None of these men wanted to be worshipped. Jesus said, I am the door and if you're talking about a door - - it's only an opening to a larger room.

DF: There are too many people at the door.

FM: If Jesus is saying I'm the door, the purpose of the door is to be opened. Open to what? Open to a greater understanding of who God is. When Jesus came, he really redefined the religion of obedience to God. He was the embodiment of God. But, not only was he the embodiment of God but also he was an example and sign for us to show us the human possibility of becoming one with the creator.

DF: I ain't got nothing to say except AMEN! WE NEED A PART TWO. God has definitely taken me to some great places. I'm having a sit down discussion with Farajii Muhammad!

To be continued.***