ARTICLES

Here are some of the articles that I write for various magazines, blogs or just cuz I feel like commenting on a particular issue/ event. They are listed from most recent to the oldest.

At times, I will feature article written by other people that I enjoy or find relevant. Make sure you visit frequently to peep the latest.

Article Written: Feb 2008

Hustle 101

"Action, self-reliance, the vision of self and the future have been the only means by which the oppressed have seen and realized the light of their own freedom." - Marcus Garvey

The Hustler's Gospel vs. The Civil Rights Movement

Written by Hotep

I often get asked about the Marcus Garvey quote that I use before each of these articles. It seems as though some people do not see the connection between the words of this great civil rights leader and the "Hustler's Gospel" that I spread through this column and my books. For those that are confused, let me explain.

The word Hustle is a verb; it means to act aggressively especially in business dealings. All of our great leaders had to be aggressive when it came to their business of fighting for our civil rights. The slogan for my school HustleUniversity.Org is "Don't wait for opportunity, create it!" Each of our most noted leaders, (as well as our famous Black inventors) made an impact because they didn't wait on the world to change, they set out to change it themselves…. just like Garvey did.

My point is, this Hustler's Gospel that I preach is nothing short of the empowered mentality that all great and successful people have. Don't let the word fool you. And on that note, I leave you with 10 more "commandments" to live by.

1) INVEST. Stop working for money; find ways to make money work for YOU.

2) UPGRADE. Cut off negative, dead-end relationships. Surround yourself with people who are an ASSET to your life, not a LIABILITY.

3) FOCUS. Start with the END in mind. First decide on your goal; then concentrate all your efforts on the actions that will help you reach that goal.

4) DO YOU. Stop trying to BE SOMEONE and find out who you already ARE. Focus on your strengths and utilize them to leave your legacy.

5) ACT. Stop waiting for opportunity and start creating it.

6) LEARN. In order to keep GOING, you must keep GROWING. Read, Watch and Listen to empowering media.

7) RETHINK. Keep an open mind. If you WANT different, you have to be willing to DO different.

8) GIVE. Universal Laws work in cycles; you GET what you GIVE. Therefore, if you plant seeds of charity, you are guaranteed to reap the harvest of prosperity.

9) HUSTLE. The greatest idea in the world won't work… unless YOU DO!

10) REMEMBER. Failure is not an option. If you can't find a way, MAKE a way!

"WE CAN ALL MAKE BLACK HISTORY!" -Hotep

Article Written: Aug 2007

I'M SNITCHIN'! 
The Media is to blame, not Hip-Hop

By Hotep aka Hustle Simmons

I didn't want to write this article. In fact, I've held back the temptation for the last 5 months (since Cam'ron appeared on 60 minutes). My hope was that the hypocrisy would die down quickly. But with the recent upsurge of the "Stop Snitchin" campaign in the media, I felt it necessary that I put an end to the nonsense once and for all.

It is absolutely ABSURD for anyone to insinuate that the concept of not snitchin' came from Hip-Hop. This is simply NOT TRUE. The truth is, "not snitchin" is a very deeply ingrained aspect of our nation's cultural fabric. Here are a few areas that demonstrate the No Snitchin' Code. None of them have a thing to do with Hip-Hop.

Anyone who ever watched the movie, The Godfather caught at least a glimpse of the very real ITALIAN Mafia. The Mafia was notorious for having a code of silence when dealing with the police. I can't count how many times I've heard the terms "rat" or "stool pigeon" used in Casino, Goodfellas or even the popular HBO series The Sopranos. We are all very familiar with the "no snitchin" code in this context AND the severe punishment for breaking this rule. Is the media trying to claim that these movies were purely fictional?

Right now, in elementary schools across the United States, teachers can be heard saying, "Stop tattling" or "Don't be a tattle tale" to their students. Is this some new trend started by Hip-Hop? NO! I'm sure all of us can remember being instructed to stop "ratting" on classmates at least once in our younger days.

Even children have their own "no snitchin" code. Or am I the only one who has ever had a classmate who was infamous for being a tattle tale? No one wanted to play with that child; he/she was often ostracized by his/her peers. Why does the media blame this "phenomenon" amongst our youth on Hip-Hop?

It is true, that we as Black Folk in America have had a history of avoiding contact/ communication with the police; but this is mainly out of distrust and fear. Need I remind the media of the innumerable atrocities inflicted upon us by our own "Justice Department"?

On top of that, anyone who watches Law and Order as much as I do has seen the police regularly trapping, abusing, coercing and otherwise bullying witnesses. After watching a couple episodes, even the most straight-laced citizen (Black OR White) would think twice about getting involved in a criminal case.

Yes, the thuggish, ultra-violent and misogynistic elements of American Culture have infiltrated (and now seem to dominate) the positive elements of Hip-Hop music. But let's not forget, the same is VERY TRUE of every other aspect of our society.

Over the last 20 years, video games, songs, movies, TV shows and computer programs have all suffered from a severe morale decline. Back in 1987, Nintendo's Super Mario Brothers ruled the video game world and The Cosby Show was one of the top TV programs. Compare this to the R-rated video games and the common use of the words "Ass" and "Bitch" in T.V. shows of 2007. It is plain to see that today's image of Hip-Hop is only reflecting the same changes the American macrocosm is witnessing. Why then, does Hip-Hop always seem to be the blame for our society's ills?

The media purposely distorts our perception of reality and diverts our attention from the true problem….. greed! Our country is run by CORPORATIONS, not government. These corporations practice extreme capitalism, which has no moral regulations. They did it! Their love of money is root of all their evils. They did it! They OWN & DISTRIBUTE the super-violent video games, sexually explicit songs/ movies and morally depraved TV shows that plague our minds. They did it! These corporations also own the very same media that we rely on for our daily information, which targets Hip-Hop as the scapegoat for our country's biggest problems.

Put simply, in the words of the revolutionary Hip-Hop group Public Enemy, "Don't' believe the hype!"

(P.S. How's that for snitchin'?)

Article Written: March 2007

Is Michael Eric Dyson right? 
Or has the black "intellectual" lost his common sense?

An open letter to Michael Eric Dyson,

Mr. Dyson, I've seen/ heard you speak on numerous occasions, and I've always respected your sharp wit and precise delivery. With all your appearances on CNN, O'Reily, HBO, Radio One, it wasn't until the up-close and personal dialogue I witnessed last week that I was able to develop a clear opinion of what you do and the impact (or lack thereof) that it creates.

You've created quite a name for yourself by using your academic prowess and marvelous speaking ability to stir up controversy (hype) by critically analyzing today's hot topics. While I applaud you for your degrees and quest to become a celebrity, I also have to let you know that you have lost touch with your people and your intellectual posturing offers no leadership and too few (if any) solutions.

Just like the nerd who is very book smart, but has no street smarts, its seems you may have become "too educated" for your own good. True genius (intellect) is not exhibited when you use "fancy words" to show off your extensive vocabulary. In fact, all it shows is an underlying desire to impress people and seem important. Sir, the most effective "intellectual" is the one who is able to break down complex ideas to be able to communicate with everyone…..even a child. As witnessed at last week's event and others, the only people that your comments appeal to are the few, privileged black "intellectuals" (who are also out of touch). The majority of the very people you claim to speak up for are NOT feeling you.

I'm sure you would agree that there is a war going on (whether political, racial or economic). What purpose are you serving simply "commenting" about it? Why aren't you joining the battle instead of standing on the sidelines talking about its casualties? Even if you choose not to offer any leadership, how dare you attack some of our greatest leaders who have taken a stance and acted to mobilize our troops. Your tactics are often divisive and counterproductive. If you're not a part of the solution, you're part of the problem. So don't talk about it, BE about it.

If you are unwilling to use your great education to lead our people and provide solutions to our problems, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE stop causing confusion with your mental masturbation. It sounds/ feels good, but produces nothing.

With all respect,

Hotep, CEO Skinnymen Productions 

P.S. I hope you enjoyed my book (The Hustler's 10 Commandments). Feel free to respond @ skinnymenproductions@yahoo.com