Bravehearts --The Continuing Struggle for Survival, 11/19/07

[iaihsown]

words of wisdom will never be enough thanks

[bygINCpresents]

thanks. look at some of the other vids when you have time.

[ssballs]

The struggle won't be forgotten,no matter what happenens in techonology.We're witnessing.

Aaaah and Marcia(YG&B)!(is it?)

[bygINCpresents]

yes it's bob and marcia. AMANDLA!

[huliosalvador]

Bro... Really like your stuff, very thought provoking. Keep rocking!!

[bygINCpresents]

thank you.

[hollyhollyrose]

About there being many Brave hearts in black history that are over looked.

[bygINCpresents]

who are the 5 most overlooked to you?

[hollyhollyrose]

I would have to say the scientist and inventors. Allthough, I couldn't name them be heart.

[bygINCpresents]

look them up and tell me here. knowledge is power and power should be shared.

[hollyhollyrose]

Patricia Bath invented the laser that removes cataract lenses during eye surgery. Edmond Berger invented an early spark plug. However, he did not patent his invention. Charles Brooks patented an early paper punch, also called a ticket punch. The first video home security system was patented on December 2, 1969 to Marie Brown. Donald Cotton invented propellants for nuclear reactors....

[hollyhollyrose]

...Charles Drew's system for the storing of blood plasma revolutionized the medical profession. Establishing the worlds first blood bank.

[bygINCpresents]

that's what i'm talking about. look up history. remember it. own it. someone else may see this and go.. WHOA! thank you.

[hollyhollyrose]

Well, thanks for asking.

[aralight1]

Tusant La'Overture

He was like a black Napoleon,

[bygINCpresents]

true. there was a rumor that a hollywood movie with mos def and denzel washington was in the works about toussaint. have you heard anything on that?

[aralight1]

I havent, but that will be a great movie!

[hollyhollyrose]

You're very right.

[bygINCpresents]

about what specifically?

[BeauteNoire25]

This is a very powerful video, awesome message. Thanks for your inspiration

[bygINCpresents]

thanks for taking the time to watch. if you have time, look at the others on my page. feedback always sought.

[GWOZ0Z0]

But I got the message and totally agree with u. so many are walking zombies out there,being fed a gross amount of nonsense that keeps them as zombies.

[GWOZ0Z0]

Sure we do. "The black Jacobin" by CRL James details the story of a few in the Haitian revolution.

[bygINCpresents]

gotta go out of our way to make sure young people know these titles and authors. how many times have you heard this: "man, i didn't know about any of this "stuff" until..." let's change that. early intervention.

[deepru]

"Wage war WITHIN yourself so you won't have to wage war OUTSIDE yourself"!

WOW Brother. History is the BEST Teacher.

U are on to Something BYG!!

PEACE

[bygINCpresents]

that's my favorite line too.

[deborahbetty58]

True, the war in the physical world is a materialized reflection of the inner war of the unconsciousness of every living individual/soul on this planet. Collectively it is enough to create outbursts of war on smaller and lager scale every single day of our history. Now Who stops our violent spirits from destroying/obliterating the whole planet?

[deborahbetty58]

Yep unconscious and uhh on a larger scale, pff

[terripin99]

The children of the 60,s held those who were attempting to create a better, more accepting world as their heroes. People like the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi were held in esteem by the children of the 60's and their movements joined and their aims of a better world spread wherever possible

The children of the 60,s believed that the only true indicator of your character was not only how you treated others but,how you treated those less fortunate than yourself. .

[bygINCpresents]

so true.

[peacelf]

Intelligent and thought provoking videos byg--a rarity on YouTube!

cont 2. But, while I promote democracy in the mainstream predominately white community, within the black community, a "talented tenth" may be necessary to promote growth and maturity among materialist and mysogynist forces within the black community. However, both of us should attack the corporate power strucuture that creates the mindless culture of materialism and bling.

more later,

peace

[peacelf]

I owe some of my empathy for "others" because of the black struggle. I am a indebted to Frederick Douglass and other slave narratives, the Harlem Renaissance Poets, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Cornell West, Michael Eric Dyson, Dr. King, Malcolm X and many others.

Our ideas on education are similar, yes. However, as a white guy, I have to push for more democratic changes. cont

[Steadno]

Mos' def' a cause for introspection!

[bygINCpresents]

his cd "black on both sides" was the soundtrack to a very creative stage of my life.

[humanswin]

After watching some tv "news" people and some politricksters(it is painful but you have to keep an eye on the lies),then watching you...eyes are clear,unblinking,delivery flawless...it is excellent to see someone who believes his own words.Yes,we need to be big.Let go of our fears,they want us to self censor,to not make a stand.Looking forward to more from you.Anyone would be lucky to have you present or do narration.

[9ways2win]

My God brother you are droppin Science.The artist you named i remember hiding in the basement putting aluminum foil on a coat hanger

only to insert it in where my antenna used to be

so i could record the gems of the time KRS,Tribe,Public enemy....Now it`s total garbage on radio and kids and adults w/ their

dim brains soaking it up to the joy of "clear channel" coorporation who don`t even like HIP Hop or even music for that matter.Those cats sitting high in the buildings are demons for real.

[magicforthugs]

deep man...your voice should be heard on a larger scale,everyone needs personal liberation,no matter what color,this really made me think man.....5/5 im fav this too

[terripin99]

Your analogy to Wallace is right on. The struggle that  boomers like me went thru in the 60,s/70,s died mostly because real life got in the way. It takes a truly dedicated soul to make it their life work. Im torn to this day that I compromised my ideaolgies and the revolutionary in me to pursue some warped idea of an American dream

Younger people like yourself need to learn from the mistakes we made- but also learn from the progress we made.

peace&respect**

[bygINCpresents]

i've been trying to learn. the older i get the more i have to lose in any struggle. that's life. back then, i vowed to chronicle my adolescent zeal, that's same energy alive in the 60s and 70s, before life got in the way. that's what i'm youtubing now... the process and the promise i think i have/had.

[quechorrada]

thanx!

[100BlackFamilies]

Wow! so meaningful and well said.

[quietstorm9421]

I need to do this more with my boys. I'm guilty of things also, computer, games t.v. And yes it does busy us. So when I pull my son to something of substance there is a struggle. I will shut off the t.v radio etc and read to him and his brother. The little one likes it but the oldest gives me the blues for a minute. But something special always happens he begins to listen and like it :0)

[bygINCpresents]

the 13 yr old will always resists. that's what he has to do now. life since birth has been obeying you. life after 13 wont be. biology necessitates resistance now. but he can't disengage fully. all he knows is you. he needs you. you know that. bring him to your truth, your quiet storm and he will appreciate it later... he will.

[quietstorm9421]

You inspire me! I am now a big fan. Seriously your work is so beautiful because it's truth. I'm happily married so my boys have their father in the home but we still go thourgh it with our 13 year old. You are so right when you speak of things that we busy ourselves with. I find myself nowadays just shutting off the tv so I can sit in silence and think or just read.

[bygINCpresents]

i don't want to just tell what i know but let a viewer feel HOW i came to know what i know. it's a subtle difference. but power and oppression are just as subtle and will get even more so. the boys must know themselves to combat it. they must sit in quiet and feel the storm. practice standing firm to know they can and always will.

[Timeout123]

Your a genius you should hold work shops in schools that are predominately black so our children can see life the way you see it.

[bygINCpresents]

i'm looking into that. visited a few local schools and talking to YMCA programs now about talking to their kids. if i can do that for the next few years, my life would be well served. i've lived the dread of the young and powerless. i got something to say about that life... pass this vid or any others you like... pass them on to folks who can or need to hear the message.

[Nicegirl74]

I've passed some of your vids on to someone who interacts with the children who have been excluded from mainstream schools. I hope he can put them to good use. Are there US equivalents of iniatives like 'Black boys can' near you? I think you have a lot to say that kids need to hear!

[bygINCpresents]

i'm sure there are lots of programs in he us. i'm doing research now and looking for avenues to link up with any local affiliates. would love to come to the u.k. and share. i get the feeling this sort of talk is very needed there.

[Nicegirl74]

You should, these children need something. Young people should understand the history that cracked the door open to opportunity and just as importantly realise that they have some real work to do to build on what was achieved.

[Mellomel]

The words you speak are true....I know them to be true as they registar with the strings of my soul. I then have the feeling of slight guilt...for not spending the time to be as prepared and studied in these particular areas. In other words....you convict me, which is a good thing.

[afrochick1]

A testimony as to why we need to learn our history. Too many of us don't know anything about ourselves.

[Xelanderthomas]

Frankly I thought Spike Lee's Malcom X movie did that for me. Good point. I think they are planning a moivie about Toussaint Louverture. That would certainly be a Braveheart movie for a black protaganist.

[bygINCpresents]

here's hoping they do the man justice. maybe it'll be an art house movie. don't know too many folks with toussaint's name on their lips. damn shame. but at least the movie's getting done.

[Xelanderthomas]

Actually, I heard that some pretty big Hollywood actors are interested, like Denzel etc. So we will see.

[TijuanaDonkey]

Right on my brother

[bygINCpresents]

thanks.

[TijuanaDonkey]

this is Vlad, Julius' brother. I remember you on the soccer field my friend. It's nice to see you are a well spoken and articulate adult. Cheers. You were amazing on the field by the way, man, I saw you do some incredible things like the time you did a reverse bicycle kick! I still have that in my brain.

V

[TheTabernackle]

This is so interesting.. Its amazing how you have the know how to translate your feelings "honestly" to others.. I believe this is an art that has been forgotten. Im subscibing..

[bygINCpresents]

everyone has that ability. just has to be developed. i spent way too much time alone thinking about life when i was younger. that part of my spirit was forced into prominence. you now see the byproduct.. get your words on video in '08.

[TheTabernackle]

As you said.. Everyone does have that ability. And I agree again.. Not everyone has developed or tap'd into it. This is why Im greatful for the few people I have ran into that have perfected the ability... And yessir I will get them on video..

[Deezil7]

correction, people my agrue what i said..MLK is THEE most important person to the blk man's progress in america.

[bygINCpresents]

i agree that mlk has gotten the shine he deserves. someone once noted that when mlk and the rest were talking they had a legion of lawyers walking the halls of congress litigating for actual change in the law. two sides of the righteous battle. no one wants t hear or see that secret part of the struggle, but those lawyers are incredibly important in the black struggle.

[Deezil7]

VERY TRUE.. my brotha, thats why i hate AMERICAN GANGSTA, we have POSITIVE BRAVEHEARTS of our own and NOBODY is making these movies.. they rather glorify a DRUG DEALER...I HATE IT! WHY DONT We even have a FILM on MLK??? i mean a real HOLLYWOOD movie on MLK? HE is THEE most important person in the forward progress of AMERICA.

[bloodadvocate]

The Confessions of Nat Turner...amazing

[bygINCpresents]

nooo! i'm not speaking for nat turner.

[BbdHome]

You have a good point.

But the stories of our "bravehearts" are already being claimed (stolen) by rappers, nothing more than romantic fantasy when people compare William Wallace and African liberators and activist to these rappers.

[bygINCpresents]

what rappers? i listen to mos def, talib kweli, common, outkast, that ilk. which ones are distorting the romantic fantasy? mos and those guys are carrying on a remnant of black struggle for personal liberation. i choose to pay attention to them above anyone else.

[SolShine7]

Good, good post.

[theicha]

The biggest and bravest heart that still beats today, is that of Minister Louis Farrakhan. he "wrestles not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

[bygINCpresents]

Vol, You know we have the same goals a la futura: "Campesinos, soldados y obreros, la mujer de la patria también, estudiantes, empleados, mineros cumpliremos con nuestro deber. Venceremos, venceremos mil cadenas habra que romper venceremos, venceremos, la miseria sabrémos vencer!"

[volantera]

You say some things that I agree with on a superficial level. But I want to know if you've thought these things through all the way and if not, if you have the will to. Genius requires accepting deep truths that may be extremely unpleasant and leave you utterly alone.

[bygINCpresents]

i know i haven't been misled by malcolm because i've studied my life enough to understand virtue, goodness and mercy and can see those tenets in others. yes, anyone can mislead. funny, many of the black "leaders" i find truth in were murdered, imprisoned or wiped out of history for trying to lead. funny thing... please talk about paul robeson to me.

[volantera]

Paul Robeson was a man of many talents who made some highly questionable decisions in his life. But the real point is that he was a man of talent, not genius. He was outspoken but what was he wise? I see no evidence of that. I don't blame him for fighting for equality. But are all people really equal? Is a fool the equal of a wise man?

[bygINCpresents]

the "situation" has rarely changed. only the context has. the tools used to shackle and comfort have become more exacting and atrophy the mind of the all-too-willing. like i say, tomorrow is a war against the conscience. it's a war vs the person. bringing up a nat turner makes sense b/c one person can fight against an idea too big to grasp. it's possible. don't you think?

[volantera]

That's the big difference. We are too willing to remain shackled. Back then the shackles did not produce comfort and complacency, or even the smugness that I see everywhere today. I don't see a war against conscience because true consciousness is rare. Warring against yourself is the last thing anyone wants to do.

[bygINCpresents]

bringing up a paul robeson or malcolm x today makes perfect sense to this black man.i know there is a concerted effort to keep the iPod children comfortably shackled. i know the best [black] folk in america have been weary of perceived comfort and sort to see the reality outside the warmth. it will take an outside-the-box human being like a paul robeson, nat turner or malcolm x to wake folk up... my vid mentions robeson more than malcolm. please talk about paul more.

[bygINCpresents]

i get the feeling you think my version of "revolution" means violent upheaval. malcolm x never killed anybody. the other folks i mentioned --biko, mandela, and to my knowledge, ghandi-- never killed anyone. i mention these figures because they changed what people thought was possible for themselves. if mel gibson is right --probably not-- william wallace does this [in the movie]. that's why i mention the movie.

[volantera]

Like I've already said, I have no problem with violence as long as it's aimed at the proper target. You talk about going to war with the self. How far do you take this? Most people take it about as far as getting up to go to work every morning. But the self can be mutilated to a much higher degree and end up unrecognizable. This is what it takes for genius to bloom.

[ciarasgurl1122]

i love ur personality..ima show my mom this and she is gonna love it..becuz she loves our history just like u do

[satobess]

Cool. It takes a brave heart to do what you're doing. I see that there are those who want to challenge what you're saying also. That's understandable. They have challenged anyone who speaks about our history with passion. Peace~

[HyltonWBrown]

You doing your part of work great.Keep reminding the people.Respect.

Hylton The Whistler Brown

[oandjshow]

Excellent video, very inspiring. But to let you know William Wallace was really a black man and all the Germanic tribes were black you could read a book called "Ancient and Modern Britons" by Steve McRichie, read volumes one and two. Other than that I feel like the minds of our people are already lost but the Most High is allowing a remnant of our people revive that revolutionary spirit among us for we could change. Keep making good videos, nice job on this one.

[kamiiyathepoet]

lovvveeee it!

[Sekhmet1985]

Simply excellent.

[BlackNationals2]

We were all distracted back then (early 80's) Tribe, PE, The Queen and all the inspirational groups were slowly drowned out by NWA and the west coast gangsta ish that came around. It's no mistake that THEY did it on purpose (read about Jerry Heller) They had us wanting sneakers and an uzi to kill another brother for the rock, and we forgot about fighting the power.

This video is very inspirational. It reminds me of David Walkers appeal.  Keep it up brother.

TheBlackNationals

BLACKPOWER!

[NdiniTari]

So inspirational!

[volantera]

You sound quite militant.

[bygINCpresents]

not at all militant. i'm an educator. i 'm asking people to examine their lives and become the people they are to become. learn your genius and showcase it to the world. that's where hapiness is.

[volantera]

Wasn't William Wallace a military commander? You also mentioned Nat Turner. How many people were killed during his rebellion? Malcolm X's militant side still has wide appeal. I think you are steeped in ancestor worship and could stand to be a little more discriminating. Not that there's anything wrong with violence in and of itself but what it's directed towards.

Also, you say you want to educate people into learning their genius. Are you a genius? Is a genius necessarily happy?

[bygINCpresents]

this post is NOT about violence. i mention revolution is the sense of freeing yourself from whatever shackles lay in your way. i sight braveheart b/c that was a particular memory for me. who's talking about william wallace the military commander? iwas talking about a movie championing the life of a scottish "hero". he killed a lot of folk too.

[volantera]

I find the Braveheart reference confusing because William Wallace was fighting against an occupying force in his native land. His situation isn't analogous to what we in the modern age find ourselves in. The problem isn't external.

[volantera]

You may have hinted at something like that in your video blogs but I think this aspect requires much more emphasis.

Freeing oneself of the shackles that hold you down requires a violent act to the self. The truth is that these same shackles are what many people, if not most, find comfort in. Which is exactly why ignorance is so common.

These shackles are different than what Wallace or the the Abolitionists concerned themselves with.

[bygINCpresents]

i am much attuned to the shackles of liquid modernity. read zygmunt bauman. the war today is personal, internal. it's "a war against the conscience". i said that. i know what today and tomorrow holds. i talk about what you just hinted at. you got caught up in something else. stop seeing the "hints" and trying to find holes to burn me. look at the big picture. you may find truth.

[volantera]

The problem is that today there is no more "struggle for survival". People are spoiled with their iPods and Xbox etc. The situation is completely different than it was just 50 years ago and bringing up a Nat Turner or William Wallace in this context makes no sense.

[bygINCpresents]

i'd like to know what the situation looks like to you? what are the things that are different now? then, what should black people do in this new struggle? if not nat turner, what names --if any-- makes more sense to bring up regarding this new global struggle? you may send me a message b/c you'll need more than 500 characters.

[volantera]

For one, slavery has been abolished. We are not an occupied nation. For all the suffering that goes on in the world, we are relatively comfortable. I don't see a global struggle over the only thing that matters, spiritual development, the attainment of wisdom. People still think the problem lies outside of them. They have no self-knowledge.

[bygINCpresents]

malcolm x came to see the error of his staunch nationalism and became more global in the end. that's the guy that appeals to me. i hope that's the guy you know. "ancestor worship"? please tell me who is a better choice to worship?... "genius"? me? nah! i'm just a guy working through ideas. genius is alive in us all. just gotta be tapped... visit the page. look at the other videos.

[volantera]

Well, I don't think we should worship anyone because worship implies some blindness to the imperfections of our heroes. You talk about respecting our parents in this same way. I disagree with that.

As for Malcolm X, I don't regard him very highly. He was just fighting for a bigger piece of the pie which is understandable but ultimately of little use when it comes to changing things on a grand scale.

[volantera]

And regarding genius, I agree that we all have (or had) that potential but it obviously isn't "alive" in very many people, especially once they are past the age of 30. If you are not a genius then for all you know, you could be adding to the confusion. Sad but true.

[bygINCpresents]

no one is worshiping. history provides examples for advancement or departure. your lack of respect for the past only proves what the video was implying... as for malcolm, you can't honestly tell me the man didn't change lives. give him that respect. that's his genius. that's the goal of life. change lives so they can do the same. that's human progress.

[volantera]

I only respect what I deem worthy. Not regarding people like Malcolm X highly does not mean I lack respect for the past. Sure he changed lives but so does literally everybody else. The point is, was it a positive or negative change and for what goal, on what scale? I see him as just a vocal person who fought for more material benefits for his race, not a genius.

[bygINCpresents]

my life has been changed by malcolm x. that's my scale. i am better for having seen his living testament. profoundly changing people's perceptions of their capabilities is genius. teaching is genius. not everyone can do it. he did. and don't tell me your math teacher profoundly changed your life 'cause you can count now. you know what i'm saying.

[volantera]

Someone else could say the same thing about Hitler. Being able to affect perceptions on a massive scale is not necessarily a great thing. How do we know that we have not been misled? Just because it feels right?

[bygINCpresents]

who do you hold in esteem? who has changed your life for the greatest good? the lives of people today for the greatest good? what black person do you admire? why?

[volantera]

There is only one person who has changed my life and that person is me. I learn from everyone else's mostly negative examples. To me, the issue of race is negligible. It's just another conceptual barrier that doesn't serve any good purpose. I judge people by what they say and do and if they happen to be black, it doesn't matter a bit.

[phantomscarz]

man

i have to favorite you on my other account

did this come off the dome? this made me feel hype you know what i mean?

[bygINCpresents]

good to know words can hype folks up. probably the most positive comment i've heard since i started posting. maybe others can be hyped to. tell your friends. bring 'em by.

[H0neyBabyD0ll]

this is a really great video byg

[bygINCpresents]

thanks again for coming by. we all gotta get byg fast. if my words help in that growth, i'll be satisfied.

[H0neyBabyD0ll]

....I'm sure that they will. It's like pieces of a puzzle....... it all matters

[H0neyBabyD0ll]

yea i mean i would say that there have been more bravehearts in black history than in any other people.... cos there has damn well had to be!......