My Genesis (R.I.P. NOLA)

I ‘m from the old school where NOT killing for yours was NEVER taught
From where the consequences of penitentiary chances taken dictate how hard the struggle is fought
Where crooked cops came twice a week like clockwork to scrape a portion of a hustler’s profits
Or harass, terrorize and make martyrs of prospective young black and brown prophets
I’m from where the law is supposed to serve and protect society but instead they keep it hotter than crack rock
Where Black and Brown are constantly at WAR with each other ONLY so no one else seeks to stop it
I’m from where unwed babies have babies that have babies having babies
From where ignorance and self-destruction are diminishing diseases like cancer and rabies
Where on alternating corners liquor stores and churches are the cornerstones
Intertwined with beauty and barber shops which WE very seldom own
I’m from where worried grandmothers look from cracked screened windows hoping their seeds make it back home
Where ex-convicts and pedophiles freely roam
From where at the drop of a dime deals and brains are concurrently blown
I’m from where the so-called hard working poor class doesn’t know the meaning of the word vacation
Where neighborhood residents are tenants of Public Housing Projects, Section Eight recipients or victims of Redlining, Redistricting or Re/gentrification
I’m from where young misguided Souljahs with closed eyes sporadically spray semi/automatic Choppers, night and day
Where greedy politicians coupled with the accepted tradition of these deplorable conditions are root causes to why these plagues survive today
I’m from where death is celebrated and birth is mourned
From where fewer and fewer save for or value “tomorrow”
Where the innocent youth seem addicted to and desensitized by sorrow
I’m from where horror is glorified and if you strive to live righteous your struggles are magnified
From where egos collide despite family ties
Where nobody gives a fuck when the “good guy” dies
I’m from where the stench of dried piss, blood, and infected spit stain the pavement
From where Hurricane Katrina showed the world just how deep America hates her descendents of the peculiar institution of slavery
Where dreams take flight like pigeons at the sight of night and nightmares emerge at the first light of day
I’m from where they still pray despite being abandoned by the protagonist of their religion long ago
From where the jazz band at a second-line signals the end of the road at the end of the song
Where regardless of these and other countless situations and conditions, LIFE goes on

5Duce/6Tray Wards Represent!