COMEDY, MUSIC & COFFEE 4a CAUSE
Post by Relentless Aaron.
Monthly Archives: October 2013
PAST PRODUCTIONS – FIRST SATURDAYS @STARBUCKS, CONYERS
Posted by Relentless on October 6th, 2013
Licensed To Kill? Trigger-Happy?? Heros??? Huh???? Miriam Carey Execution – Good or Bad?
Posted by Relentless on October 5th, 2013
Licensed To Kill? Trigger-Happy?? Heros??? Huh????
Recent events relating to Miriam Carey, the dental hygienist who drove from her home in suburban Stamford Connecticut all the way to DC to crash her car into the White House barricade have me asking a simple question: are we trigger-happy?
Okay, considering all the "further investigation" and that she has a short history of mental illness, I get it that this was a troubled woman.
But if we lined up every troubled person in the USA there'd be a mass murder/televised.
And yes, there are various "levels" of troubled people; some who just imagine harm on other people, others who take the threats to the next level with the help of mail or telephone or Internet, and then there are the extreme cases, such as Miriam. Clearly, the automobile is a deadly weapon. And how she used her vehicle (even endangering her child) is quite the horror story. But I ask this question of everyone: WHY DIDN'T THEY SHOOT THE TIRES???
And then there is the environment we live in: clearly, the world is experiencing code red.
Maybe this isn't happening in your town, but family are there bombings and mass murderers and stabbings, and at least one person set themselves on fire today. But we are living in troubled times, clearly affected by 
events that take place around the world. (Or maybe those on the movie screens?) Unless you are cold and callous and could care less, a dorm full of college students fast asleep who are suddenly shot to death has to make you sad. But of course, so many of us get sudden amnesia when the violence doesn't reach our doorstep. And there are others of you who are on the same page with me; tuned-in and crystal-clear about the state of the world. We need reminding that every human being matters no matter where you live. And yes, even Miriam Carey mattered.
Yesterday's events detail that Miriam Carey was clearly deranged to the point where she crashed her car into a Federal landmark and then (while under fire) raced away, not to mention her one-year-old child in the car. An event like this has got to make you think. It has got to make you wonder. What woman would execute such an act with her one-year-old child in the car? Yes, a crazy woman. Or at least one that has "gone mad." As far as I know, a mother's natural maternal instinct is to protect her child. So, for one to import her child into extreme danger (gunfire in this case) is clearly "overboard."
But how do we even get to assess Miriam Carey's mentally competency since she's dead? I mean, when police
shot her was she shooting back? (no) Did they see a weapon? (no). Who knows what the truth was, and who will ever know?
These super cops that were quick to blow this woman away even after she raced away from the White House (in my opinion) jumped the gun, influenced by our "code-red world." Obviously, considering the recent shootout at the Washington Navy Yard, DC is super hot, easy encouragement for those cops to pull the trigger as opposed to blowing out this woman's tires or crashing another vehicle into her so that she could not move that car anymore. Yes there could've been a bomb in the carbut if there was a bomb in the car what other options are there? There are so many unanswered questions in
this equation but it is clear to me that there was some trigger happiness going on. Police officers are supposed to be the least paranoid of all gun-slingers. And I can imagine that with all the films out about the White House being "taken down" and "invaded" that any White House threat is a serious one, even if only in the imagination. But right now I'd love to imagine these officers shooting out this woman's tires and taking away the only weapon that she had. I'd like to imagine her under a doctor's care, alive, talking about how "Barack was sending her telepathic messages." What a ball Michelle would have tossing that idea around in her head.
Instead, now we have a child traumatized for life. And it took this to get her away from her mother. That is the biggest plus and minus in this equation.
#RELENTLESS
Microphone Check One Two, One Two…
Posted by Relentless on October 3rd, 2013
And so I have officially produced my second hip-hop video here in Conyers Georgia. And if I wanted to put any emphasis behind the effort I would say that i've made history (again), except this time in another nook of the world. And Conyers is, well, special.
Remember, we're talking Ku Klux Klan, lynchings and segregation of Black folk here in the deep South; and I'm right smack in the center of it all.
Yes, I know slavery and segregation is so far behind us, however everything here is a result of the past. People who came up then have children who are succeeding because of that "come up." They own businesses, real estate, stocks, etc. Generations of success much of which was built on the backs of enslaved Blacks. Lets keep it real. And still today, if a Black man wants to set up a business here he's gotta be "in the know" both on the city & county level to insure he won't be harassed. I've seen it first hand. They will try and rush that ass out of town, but-fast. And its not just good old boy Whites, its also the Sambo-Blacks that have been embraced by the so-called "superior race." Sure, diversity is growing, and times are a'changin. But this is still one of those "Blue states" as we've seen in the past 2 elections. This is still the land of Paula Dean, and that Paula Dean mentality is well supported and practiced. The town of Conyers has been experiencing White flight for some time now. Folks just intimidated of Blacks & Mexicans, afraids of communicating, understanding or growing together.
Its just what it is. Human being stuff. Nobody is good or bad, its just the reality of the past and the present. This is what Steve Stout might recognize as "the coloring of America," my filming hip hop videos in the heart of post-segregated Conyers...here in the Dirty-Dirty, the deep South version.
And while many major productions have been filmed East of Atlanta, I enjoy working with these regional and local businesses, many of them not familiar with that great digital divide and what it takes to cross over. I'm working with all diversities of people; people who have a product, service or message to share. People who, so far, have maintained their brand, their identity and initiatives. From the local Botox clinic, to the Moroccan butcher, to the NAACP, to the local chiropractor, to the local mixed martial arts fights, to the local fitness gym to the local Starbucks…
I am very local and I enjoy what I do. My environment is very controlled, allowing me to be selective with who I communicate and to associate with credible people. I consider myself secluded as well as very connected, and I STAY productive. So, I ask you what else do I possibly need? Nada!
And while many people look at me and wonder "what happened to him?" and "why isn't he doing this, or driving that, or at that award show…" while you don't see me on any humongous platforms like TMZ or the Jimmy Kimmel show, family, you need to know that my focus is on peace of
mind and progress. If you notice most of what you see on the main stage is controversial or related to big business. And quite frankly, as I just mentioned, I am dealing with local and regional business. I am building their brands and making a name for myself in other ways besides what the world knows me for/authoring books, publishing, etc. This new life took some time to win at; to settle in. Locals were apprehensive about my presence, my voice online and what I was capable of. But how I live is far from controversial.
This area of my life is extremely peaceful and it allows me to work on my health and my mental well-being as well as I am quite productive on writing on publishing on being the "Gordon Parks" that I've always wanted to be.
While the world is focused on all-things-Rihanna and Miley Cyrus, I can feel comfortable in knowing that my life is in check. I can write what I want without any hesitation and I can continue to deliver content that teaches underneath the sensational storylines or plots or subject matter. Naturally, some folks out there haven't read a full-length novel of mine, and maybe they haven't
read ANY novels or books in recent history. But that doesn't lessen your value as far as I'm concerned. I am encouraged in dealing with and helping everybody I can, no matter what skin color you are. Even if you only send/receive text messages or maybe you're dripping in social media (as I am). Perhaps you still read full length physical books, even if they are on the ipad... maybe you're still sending snail mail… I want to embrace you all and help you and be of service to you all if not merely entertaining you or raising your level of awareness.
As usual, I am Relentless
Related: A few other music videos I've produced here in Atlanta
What is the value of life?
Posted by Relentless on October 7th, 2013
Warning: content in this post is extremely violent and may be disturbing.
Just so much violence in our world today. Now that the week is coming to an end I think I've had just about all the violence I can handle.
And I personally need to take a week and immerse myself into all things soft and lovable and comforting. Really, it is a lot, and it can wear on you. Here in this post is the latest outburst that I've witnessed this week and it simply says it all as it relates to the value of human life. In this video I not only watch a boyfriend stabbing his girlfriend and trying to kill her but two bystanders just watched it all take place, then walking away.
There is one instance when a pharmacy attendant just casually walks by the body and doesn't even attempt to help.
Man stabs his ex girlfriend 20 times**Shocking**
How much violence is too much violence? How & when will people learn how to deal with, avoid, prevent confrontations that end up in tragedy?
And it leaves you to wonder, do we really care about one another or does it take a family member to endure such trauma before we wake up and act? Yes this is this is something that we need to discuss in public forums because so many of us are sheltered and insulated until this gets to our front porch.
Sure, there is this video, but in the case with the woman/the dental hygienist from Connecticut who rammed into the White House barricades and in the case of the Washington Navy Yard shooter, and (yes) even in the Atlanta case where a mother of 10 kids got involved in her friend's argument, only to catch the bullet from the opposition... these incidents involved people who were mentally troubled.
WHEN WILL THE VIOLENCE END? WHEN WILL WE LEARN?
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