Ten Points for Youth Survival in the Street
Marvin X at his Academy of da Corner,14th and Broadway, Oakland, with one of his top students,
brother Jermaine Cash. Author Ishmael Reed says, " Don't spend all that money attending seminars and workshops, if you want motivation and inspiration, just go stand at 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland, and watch Marvin X at work. He's Plato teaching on the streets of Oakland." Bob Holman calls him, "The USA's Rumi, Saadi and Hafiz...." Rudolph Lewis says, "I would put him ahead of Mark Twain, even, as a story teller."
Ten Points for Youth Survival
1. Before going into the street, put on the amour of God or Spiritual consciousness,i.e., yea thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil. The Lord is my rod and staff.
2. Be aware of your surroundings. Two are better than one, for if you stumble and fall, who shall lift you up? Do not stay long in unfamiliar places with strange people.
3. Be conscious of the tone test with the police, e.g., if they stop you for any reason, one of three things can happen depending on your tone of voice: they can kill you, arrest you or release you.
4. Be conscious of the tone test with another brother or sister: they can kill you, bum rush you or greet you in peace.
5. Do not wear sagging pants that prevent you from running or fighting. The ghetto, sad to say, is a war zone or hostile environment. Do not pretend you are in La La Land. There are mind fields everywhere, so try not to be in a mind altered state. It is best to be cold sober on the street.
6. Respect elders and do not take liberties with women.
7. Help the poor, say a kind word to the broken hearted.
8. At all times, be a soldier in the army of the Lord.
9. Pray going out and coming in. Be thankful you made it back home safely.
10. Make your home the No Stress Zone.
--Marvin X, Prime Minister, First Poet's Church of the Latter Day Egyptian Revisionists
4/17/11